(KPL) In a landmark meeting held during the 19th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Lao Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, met with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to discuss the deepening of bilateral cooperation between Laos and the European Union. The summit, taking place from October 9-12, marked the first official visit of a European Council president to Laos, underscoring the significance of the EU-Laos relationship, which dates back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975.

The meeting comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of EU-Laos relations, set to be celebrated in 2025. Prime Minister Sonexay extended a warm welcome to President Michel, expressing his appreciation for the EU’s ongoing engagement and participation in the summit. He highlighted the broadening cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, environmental protection, and tourism, which have been strengthened through regular high-level exchanges.

The Lao leader also thanked the EU for its consistent support over the years, noting that European assistance has played a key role in Laos' socio-economic progress, especially in rural development and poverty reduction.

This partnership, he emphasized, aligns with the country's goal of graduating from least developed country status and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

In his response, President Michel expressed gratitude for the invitation to attend the summit and congratulated Laos on its ASEAN Chairmanship. He reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Laos’ development, particularly in promoting regional integration, sustainable trade, and green growth. Michel also extended his best wishes for the success of the summit and stressed the importance of continued collaboration between ASEAN and the EU on broader regional and international issues.

The meeting reinforced the strong ties between Laos and the EU, highlighting both sides' shared commitment to advancing cooperation in the years to come.

KPL