(KPL) President Thongloun Sisoulith and visiting His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg participated in a reception held in Vientiane on Dec 6 to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Luxembourg.

The celebration was also joined by senior leaders of the two countries. 

 His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is paying an official visit to Laos, 5-9 Dec, to enhance the longstanding relations and cooperation between Laos and Luxembourg.

Laos and Luxembourg established diplomatic relations on September 25, 1997.

Luxemburg is considered to be an important development partner of the Lao PDR with its assistance to the latter having almost doubled since the launch of a bilateral cooperation strategy in 2003.

In early years of cooperation, Luxembourg provided US$ 2 million to support development efforts in the Lao PDR.

Notably, in 2003, Luxembourg included Laos in its list of Target Country for external assistance. The two countries signed Prgramme Indicatif de Cooperation (PIC-ICP, also called ICP I (2003-2006) where Luxembourg government provided EUR 18 million to support rural development, education, health and social insurance.

Meanwhile, ICP II (2006-2010), valued at EUR 35 million, benefited rural development, health and education of the Lao PDR.

ICP III (2011-2015), valued EUR 50 million, prioritized rural development, health, education and human resource development, tourism and hospitality industry, finance/banking and basic infrastructure development.
Funding provided under the specific cooperation strategic plan V (5th Indicative Cooperation Programme) or ICP V for 2023-2027 is valued at 95 million Euros (total aid value since ICP IV is about 292 million Euros), with a focus placed on health, education, rule of law, and local development.

The governments of Laos and Luxembourg will continue their cooperation and set priorities and actions under the new Indicative Cooperation Programme for 2023-2027.

KPL