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VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Australia has reiterated its commitment to support Laos to deliver a successful Asean Chair in 2024, according to the Australian Embassy in Vientiane.
“Australia and Laos’ partnership is based on trust and respect, built on over 70 years of relations... we’re working closely together as Laos prepares to chair Asean in 2024,” Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, stated on her facebook page.
Penny Wong made the commitment while visiting Laos on May 15-16 in response to an invitation from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith.
The Australian government is committed to deeper collaboration and cooperation between Australia and South-East Asia, including Laos.
“The 2023-24 budget includes more than A$55 million to further our engagement – investments which will complement the government’s South-East Asia Economic Strategy, to be released later this year,” Minister Penny Wong said.
As Laos has an important role to play in Southeast Asia’s future, Australia is keen to work together with Laos to build a safe, stable and prosperous region where Asean and Asean-led institutions hold the centre.
The visit gave Wong the opportunity to listen and understand Laos’ national priorities for trade and investment, development cooperation and regional connectivity.
Wong’s time in Laos reflects the commitment made between the prime ministers of the two countries last November, when they announced an intention to elevate the Laos-Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
Wong held productive discussions with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and other leaders. Discussions acknowledged the considerable changes underway in the region and navigating these changes together, including through Asean.
Australia and Laos shared views on priorities for cooperation in education, growing human resource capacity, the energy sector, water resource management, and people-to-people links.
The visit confirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening economic engagement with the region, including through the development of a Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, to be released later this year, the Australian Embassy stated.
To advance shared priorities for the environment and sustainability, Australia will partner with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Global Green Growth Institute to establish a national framework for participation in international carbon markets.
“Our friendship is grounded in mutual respect and trust, forged through many years of close relations and longstanding people-to-people links,” stated the embassy.
Penny Wong and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s External Relations Committee, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, signed a Declaration of Shared Intent to establish a Laos-Australia Friendship Association to enhance dialogue, understanding and people-to-people connections between Australia and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Australia and Laos will work together on shared goals with regional partners, for example, through trilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Australia is pleased to be working with Laos and Vietnam
Penny Wong said she was pleased to announce further support for Covid-19 vaccine and routine immunisation, including at the sub-national level, through a partnership with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, building on the A$25.2 million provided to date.
