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Message sent by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the people of the Lao PDR on his visit to the Lao PDR to attend the ASEAN+3 Summit in Vientiane

November 26, 2004

Sabaidee,

I am pleased to send my personal greetings to the people of the Lao PDR just before the ASEAN+3 Summit and other related meetings take place in Vientiane. I intend to visit the Lao PDR for the first time to participate in the Summit. I had opportunities of meeting H.E. Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith, the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, three times in the past as well as of sharing a table with His Excellency many times at international meetings and conferences. From the conversation I had with His Excellency, I have come to know of the fertile climate and land as well as the hospitable people of Laos. I very much look forward to visiting the Lao PDR, and to enjoying the beautiful nature as well as meeting with wonderful people there.

The diplomatic relation between Japan and Laos was established on 5th March 1955, and the next year will mark its 50th Anniversary. Throughout this half century, the two countries have developed and maintained friendly relations, and I am pleased to note that this friendship has been further enhanced by the exchanges of high ranking officials of the Governments as well as citizens between the two countries.

The ASEAN Summit which takes place soon in Laos will be the 10th Summit. I will attend both the ASEAN+3 Summit and the Japan-ASEAN Summit, and would like to further enhance the cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN Members based on the partnership - "Acting Together, Advancing Together" which I have been advocating. Furthermore, the Government of the Lao PDR will host the first Japan-CLV (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) Summit. At this Summit, I would like to reaffirm Japan's commitment to extend its utmost support to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in order to contribute to their nation building efforts, in the context of the Mekong Region Development which Japan has ever been promoting.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Japan's Official Development Assistance. Long-lasting cooperative relations have been nurtured between Japan and the Lao PDR to which Japan dispatched its first Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. I am committed to further promote these amicable relations between Japan and Laos towards and beyond the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.

Thank you very much.

Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan