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Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba and Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad of Laos

November 28, 2011
Japanese

On Monday, November 28, from 5:00 p.m. for around 20 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Minister Gemba congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister on his reappointment, and expressed his appreciation for the psychological and material support from Laos in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Minister Gemba noted Japan’s support for the flood damage in Laos since June of this year, and stated that Japan will consider additional assistance if further needs exist. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat expressed his deep appreciation.
   
   
2. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat committed to making further improvements to the investment environment in Laos for the promotion of investment from Japan, while making effective use of Japanese assistance. Furthermore, he stated that the macro-economy in Laos is stable and that efforts will be made to maintain the growth. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat expressed his appreciation for Japan’s assistance for the Project for Expansion of Vientiane International Airport in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as part of the preparations for the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be hosted by Laos next year in 2012, as well as appreciation for Japan’s assistance for infrastructure development, including the improvement of National Road No.9. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat stated that Japan’s assistance has contributed significantly to nation-building in Laos, and expressed hope for future assistance.
   
   
3. Minister Gemba responded that high-level exchanges between both countries will be promoted. In light of the increasing investment in Laos by Japanese companies in recent years, Japan will continue to extend assistance that will contribute to strengthening connectivity with the neighboring region and human resources development, with the aim of improving the investment environment in Laos. Furthermore, Minister Gemba stated that Japan will continue to support the initiatives of Laos toward the graduation of Laos from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2020.
   
   
4. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat stated with respect to United Nations (UN) Security Council reform that Laos will continue to support Japan to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Japan’s stance on UN Security Council reform. Minister Gemba expressed his appreciation.

• (*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

Related Information (Japan-Laos Relations)