Japan-Laos Relations

Prime Minister Abe expressed his pleasure to meet his friend Prime Minister Thongloun again following a meeting in September last year and to hold this third summit meeting with him. Prime Minister Abe once again expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality shown to him in Vientiane, and furthermore stated that the Lao PDR occupies a strategic point that holds the key to regional economic development and stability, and Japan attaches importance to the Lao PDR as its strategic partner. Prime Minister Abe highly appreciated that the Lao PDR led the series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related meetings to success last year as the chair country, and stated that he hopes to advance the relationship between Japan and the Lao PDR through this visit to Japan by Prime Minister Thongloun.

In response, Prime Minister Thongloun expressed the view that the relationship between Japan and the Lao PDR is deepening, stated that he feels honored to meet Prime Minister Abe again, and explained that he is also happy to hold holding this third summit meeting. Prime Minister Thongloun stated that since Japan and the Lao PDR elevated their relationship to a “Strategic Partnership”, he is happy it has become possible to hold these summit meetings and explained that he was inspired by Prime Minister Abe’s speech at the dinner reception for the International Conference on the Future of Asia two days ago.

Prime Minister Abe highly appreciated that Prime Minister Thongloun is strengthening fiscal discipline within the Lao PDR and promoting the prevention of corruption. With regard to support in the field of financial administration, which was requested by Prime Minister Thongloun last year, Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan will dispatch a tax expert in July this year and move proactively ahead with supporting the Lao PDR’s fiscal stabilization. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe indicated that Japan will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of the Lao PDR through quality infrastructure investment in the future also, and he cited examples of the win-win relationships between Japan and the Lao PDR such as the establishment of the Pakse-Japan Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in southern Laos. Additionally, Prime Minister Abe requested ongoing cooperation with preparing the investment environment, and stated that he will also utilize the framework of the Japan-Lao Public and Private Joint Dialogue to support the Lao PDR’s efforts. Prime Minister Abe also explained that he hopes to strengthen cooperation in the field of security and defense, and stated that Japan will continue to undertake support for capacity-building in the field of humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Prime Minister Thongloun responded by thanking Prime Minister Abe for dispatching an expert to support fiscal stabilization, and explained that on the day before this summit meeting he participated in a seminar with the representatives of a large number of Japanese companies interested in investing in the Lao PDR, and the Government of the Lao PDR intends to move ahead with improving the investment environment. Furthermore, Prime Minister Thongloun stated that he also hopes to increase the exchange of people and goods by establishing direct flights between the Lao PDR and Japan promptly.

Prime Minister Abe noted that he is promoting implementation of the Japan-Lao PDR Joint Development Cooperation Plan, which was adopted in September last year, and Japan is contributing to realizing the “vibrant connectivity” of the Mekong region, beginning with the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC). Prime Minister Abe explained that a project to expand the terminal building at Wattay International Airport is also progressing favorably, and with regard to a plan for a highway between Vientiane and Hanoi, he stated that Japan intends to cooperate on formulating the optimum plan for realizing that goal. Additionally, Prime Minister Abe noted that Japan has recently decided on cooperation in order to assist young administrative officials from the Lao PDR with studying abroad, and on new support for strengthening the Lao PDR’s waterworks administration capacity, and he also referred to the “Innovative Asia” program for contributing to the development of highly-skilled human resources in the Lao PDR which is begun from this year. Prime Minister Abe thanked Prime Minister Thongloun for his cooperation with the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers dispatched to the Lao PDR.

In response, Prime Minister Thongloun acknowledged that Japan is the Lao PDR’s top donor, and explained that the Lao PDR highly appreciates and is grateful for the provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA) by the Government and citizens of Japan. Prime Minister Thongloun stated that the Lao PDR is receiving support for infrastructure and human resources development and a large number of other projects, and in addition, Japan has been dispatching Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers to the Lao PDR since 1965. Furthermore, Prime Minister Thongloun appreciated that a Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) office has also been established, that a large number of Japanese companies are investing in the Lao PDR, and that cultural and people-to-people exchanges are progressing as well. In addition, Prime Minister Thongloun explained that the Lao PDR is seeking connectivity with other countries, and in particular hopes to request support in areas such as preparing the EWEC and the plan for a highway between Vientiane and Hanoi.

The two sides also held a frank and meaningful exchange of views concerning pressing challenges in the regional and international arenas, including North Korea and the South China Sea, and confirmed that they will coordinate their efforts at this year’s ASEAN-related meetings also. Prime Minister Abe mentioned cooperating under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy,” and also commented on cooperating to entrench fundamental values such as freedom of navigation and the rule of law, and concepts such as openness of infrastructure. The two leaders shared concerns regarding the North Korea situation, and Prime Minister Abe stated that North Korea constitutes a new level of threat and it will be important to increase pressure. Prime Minister Thongloun commented that fulfilling the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions is important. Furthermore, the two leaders confirmed they will cooperate on promptly resolving the abductions issue. Additionally, the two leaders shared the view that they will cooperate on promptly concluding a high-quality Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).