Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation made a two day visit to Australia from February 27 to 29.
Dr Thongloun Sisoulith (left) and Dr Craig Emerson meet in Canberra
In Sydney, Dr Thongloun met with representatives of Australian investors who have business operations in Laos, led by Chairman Emeritus of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre Mr Hugh Morgan, and former Minister of Energy and ANZ Banking Group Ltd New South Wales C hairman Mr Warwick Smith.
Meeting participants shared information on business conditions and the investment environment in Laos.
In Canberra, Dr Thongloun met with Member of Parliament, Minister for Trade, and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Dr Craig Emerson. They discussed the relations between Laos and Australia and the prospects for future cooperation in bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the mutual benefit of the two nations, ensuring peace, stability and development.
On behalf of their respective governments, the two ministers signed a document on the implementation of various assistance projects to support the distribution of food supplements, as well as clean water for communities, and sanitation for primary schools in Laos.
At a meeting with Member of Parliament and Minister for Resources and Energy Mr Martin Ferguson, the two parties discussed future cooperation in energy, resources, and tourism.
Dr Thongloun also met the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Julie Bishop.
The Lao delegation also attended a ceremony at the Lao Embassy in Canberra to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Dr Emerson and other high-ranking officials from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Australia, diplomatic representatives from Asian countries, and Australian residents of Lao descent were in attendance at the ceremony.
Dr Thongloun also met with former Minister for Women’s Issues and Vice President of Interplast Australia Ms Kay Patterson, and CARE Australia Director General Ms Julia Hutton. The two international non-governmental organisations are implementing assistance projects in various fields in Laos.
The deputy prime minister also attended a parliament sitting to observe debate on various issues between the Australian government and the opposition. Afterwards he met with members of the Lao community living in Australia at a function held at the Lao Embassy in Canberra.
Dr Thongloun is now in New Zealand, where he was due to meet with government officials on March 1, at the invitation of his counterpart Mr Murray McCully.
