• Register Email Updates

• >> Advanced Search
• Help

Meeting Between Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic

May 26, 2010
Japanese

On May 26 (Wed), Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for approximately thirty minutes starting at 4:00 pm. An outline of the meeting is as follows.

1. Minister Okada stated that visits between Japan and Laos by key figures have become active particularly since the beginning of this year and that the good relationship between the two countries continues to deepen. He also expressed his congratulations on the success of the Laos Festival 2010, which was held on May 22 and 23, with the attendance of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino and H.E. Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, as well as approximately 110,000 visitors in the two days.
   President Thongsing responded by saying that cooperative relations between the two countries are further strengthening on the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Laos. He also mentioned that he was grateful that he received a warm welcome in Japan, and he hoped that Minister Okada would visit Laos.
   
2. President Thongsing expressed his deep gratitude for having received large amounts of significant aid from Japan in the fields of poverty reduction, infrastructure, and human resource development. He offered appreciation in particular to Minister Okada’s concern and interest about the preservation of Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong River, and also to the fact that new cooperation was beginning in that area. President Thongsing also mentioned that he would like to see Japan’s friendship organizations and private companies to participate in Laos’ social and economic development as well.
   Minister Okada responded by saying that Laos is located in a strategically key junction of both the East-West and North-South Economic corridors, and is receiving much attention from the Japanese companies, and that he would like to cooperate in investment promotion.
   
3. In addition, President Thongsing and Minister Okada also exchanged views on the water shortage of the Mekong River as well as environmental conservation. 

Related Information (Japan-Laos Relations)