Laos President, Japan PM pledge stronger links as two nations mark 70-year ties

The Star

3 days ago

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) welcomes Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at a Japan-Laos summit held at the Prime Minister's Office of Japan in Tokyo on May 29. - Photo: Prime Minister's Office of Japan.
TOKYO: Visiting President Thongloun Sisoulith and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have agreed to deepen ties as Laos and Japan this year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations and 60 years of Japanese volunteer missions to Laos.
The two leaders pledged to deepen ties during a bilateral meeting held in Tokyo on Thursday (May 29) on the sidelines of the 30th International Conference on the Future of Asia, hosted by Nikkei Inc. The Lao President also delivered a speech at the conference.
Welcoming President Thongloun to Japan, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed 'his intention to further develop the bilateral cooperation by realising the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', the Prime Minister's Office of Japan said on its website.
PM Ishiba said Japan would continue to support Laos' efforts to strengthen its economic resilience and stabilise its public finances for autonomous and quality economic development.
At the same time, President Thongloun announced that starting on June 1, 2025, Laos will extend the visa-free stay period for holders of ordinary Japanese passports from 15 days to 30 days to enhance people-to-people and cultural links.
President Thongloun and PM Ishiba reflected on the elevation of Lao-Japanese relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's official visit to Japan in January.
They pledged to intensify collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly by promoting Japanese investment in key sectors in Laos.
The two leaders agreed to accelerate efforts towards the early conclusion of a tax convention, with a view to further enhancing investment and economic ties between the two countries.
They also declared their intention to advance cooperation in the fields of energy and decarbonisation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative.
President Thongloun said 'he was pleased with the development of bilateral relations in a wide range of areas,' the Prime Minister's Office of Japan said.
It was also noted that Japanese volunteers have made a significant contribution to Laos' development.
To date, more than 1,100 Japanese volunteers and 4,500 experts have served in Laos, assisting their Lao counterparts in areas such as legal reform, justice, and public service.
The leaders also expressed their pleasure at the upcoming official visit to Laos by Her Imperial Highness, Princess Aiko, in November, calling it a significant milestone for future bilateral engagement.
President Thongloun expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to himself and his delegation and thanked Japan for its continued support for Laos' socio-economic development.
Japan's assistance extends to development of the East-West Economic Corridor, clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO), disaster preparedness, and humanitarian assistance.
The two leaders also exchanged views on key regional and international advancements and underscored their shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region. - Vientiane Times/ANN