Laos, Argentina strengthen cooperation

Laos and Argentina have affirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Senior government officials from the two countries made the affirmation at a meeting held in Vientiane yesterday.

An Argentinean foreign affairs delegation led by Undersecretary of Foreign Policy Ms Carolina Perez Colman made the historic visit to Laos, the two countries having established diplomatic relations on July 24, 1975.

Speaking at the bilateral meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Sounthone Xayachak said she highly valued the historic visit by the high-level Argentinean foreign affairs delegation.

She said the visit was a significant contribution to the expansion of fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting, Ms Colman briefed her Lao counterpart on social and economic developments in Argentina under the leadership of President Cristina Fernandez.

She expressed her nation's desire to continue strengthening cooperation with Laos for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Ms Colman also confirmed that Argentina will actively participate in cooperation initiatives at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Meanwhile Dr Sounthone briefed the guests on recent significant changes in Laos and discussed cooperation in past years and plans for future bilateral cooperation.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on political consultation between the Lao and Argentinean ministries of foreign affairs.

"This MOU signing is an important initial step in expanding the relations and cooperation between our two ministries of foreign affairs," a press release from the Lao ministry said.

On the same day, Ms Colman and her delegation also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongloun Sisoulith.

Mr Thongloun said he highly valued the Argentinean visit, which he said was a significant contribution to strengthening the ties between the two countries.