(KPL) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, met today with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Mr. Winston Peters, as the latter was in Vientiane to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 24-28.

Both sides highly valued the strong friendship and cooperation that have been continuously developed and expanded over the past six decades, from political collaboration to people-to-people exchange, fostering mutual understanding and trust between the governments and peoples of Laos and New Zealand.

This has created favorable conditions for cooperation in various fields such as education, public health, human resource development, agriculture, and tourism.

They also discussed and exchanged views on cooperation in education, unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, tourism, trade and investment, ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of New Zealand for their support and assistance in the socio-economic development of Laos, especially in education, English language training, UXO clearance, and supporting Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

In reply, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and commended Laos for being an excellent host and chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He also wished Laos success in its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

KPL