(KPL) In response to the invitation of Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Mrs KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid an official visit to the Lao PDR to participate in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 25-27.

The visit aimed to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Laos and Japan.

On July 26, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a bilateral meeting was held between Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Japanese counterpart Mrs. KAMIKAWA Yoko, and the delegations from both sides.

They reviewed the previous cooperation between Laos and Japan  with a high appreciation of the friendship and cooperation between the Lao PDR and Japan, which continues to expand cooperation expressed as the high-ranking leaders of the two countries have met and exchanged visits each other, the bilateral cooperation in various sectors has been enhanced and implemented in a formal and successful manner, and they have provided cooperation and support to each other in the regional and international arena.

Next year, two sides will jointly organize various activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Laos-Japan diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of being a strategic partnership.

The Lao side also informed that expressed its readiness to honor welcome Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio on the occasion of his visit and participation in the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane at the end of October 2024.

The two sides discussed the future plan , agreeing that the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Laos and Japan should continue to be central in coordinating and encouraging the continuation of exchanges between the leaders of the two countries, continue to encourage the implementation of the plans and cooperation projects of the two governments of Laos-Japan that have already been signed to be successful as expected.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in economic-trade, investment, education, human resource development, culture, tourism and other potential sectors.

The Lao side expressed its appreciation for the support and assistance of the Japanese government and people so far, especially the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in various sectors such as human resource development, infrastructure development, support for the clearance of unexploded ordnances (UXOs).

In particular, a project to improve the Anouvong Stadium and the support of the Lao PDR in the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024, all of which have contributed significantly to the implementation of the socio-economic development plan of the Lao PDR in the past.

The two sides also confirmed that they will continue to cooperate and support each other for the development of the region, especially the ASEAN-Japan cooperation.

The Japanese side reaffirmed the commitment of the Japanese government to continue to strengthen and enhance the cooperation relationship with the Lao government, under the Japan-Laos strategic partnership, as well as the cooperation relationship within the Japan-ASEAN framework to be further developed, will support Lao PDR's ASEAN presidency in 2024 to succeed as expected.

KPL