20 April 2016 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras undertook an introductory visit to Lao People’s Democratic Republic and paid a courtesy call on his Lao counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith. Secretary Almendras also called on Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and briefly met with Deputy Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the long-standing friendly relations between the Philippines and Laos spanning six decades. They looked forward to Laos’ hosting of the inaugural Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) at a mutually convenient date this year. They agreed to expand Philippines-Laos relations especially in the areas of trade and investment, education, sports, tourism, human resource development, and explore new areas of cooperation.

Secretary Almendras also invited Laos to send a delegation to the Philippines to study and learn Philippine experiences, best practices and achievements in technical vocation as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Secretary Almendras assured Foreign Minister Thongloun and Prime Minister Thongsing of the Philippines’ continued friendship with Laos and its people, and reiterated its full confidence in the leadership of Laos as Chair of ASEAN in 2016. In return, Laos expressed full support for the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017.

In a gathering with the Filipino Community, Secretary Almendras encouraged the community to keep themselves updated on the developments in the Philippines and to participate in the overseas absentee voting. END