Japan-Laos Relations
Japan-Laos Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
May 2, 2024
On 2 May, commencing at 9:55 a.m. local time (9:55 a.m. Japan Time), for approximately 10 minutes, Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, who is attending the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Saleumxay KOMMASITH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Laos PDR. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan will continue to support the Laos for the success of its ASEAN chairmanship. Minister Kamikawa also stated that Japan attaches importance to the OECD’s greater cooperation with ASEAN countries, which are the global growth engine. In this context, Minister Kamikawa said that Japan will contribute to sustainable economic growth of the Southeast Asian region, including the Laos, through the Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP), which celebrates its 10th anniversary since the launch in 2014.
- Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay expressed his appreciation for Japan's contribution as the Chair ot this year’s MCM to strengthening relations between the OECD and ASEAN, and said that the Laos will to further stregthen its cooperation with Japan through SEARP.
- Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay stated that Minister Kamikawa's visit to the Laos last October was significant, and the two Ministers agreed to work closely together to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights, taking the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos in 2025.