Paris, Oct 22 (Prensa Latina) French president François Hollande and Lao president Choummaly Sayasone expressed today their willingness to strengthen diplomatic, economic and commercial ties between both nations. At a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, both Heads of State agreed on increasing French small and medium-sized enterprises' investments in Laos, especially on the sectors of energy, agriculture and food industry, health care, transportation and tourism.
This is the first time a Lao head of State visits France since the declaration of the Popular Democratic Republic in 1975.
During the meeting this Tuesday, both presidents declared themselves in favor of the dialog and cooperation between the European Union and Mekong countries.
They also offered condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash from last week near the city of Pakse, where 49 people died, including seven French citizens.
Son Excellence Choummaly Sayasone a prévu de passer toute la journée du 24 octobre à Lyon et son agglomération.
Il sera accompagné de la ministre déléguée à la Francophonie, Yamina Benguigui. Le président du Laos visitera la Compagnie nationale du Rhône (CNR) avec sa présidente Elisabeth Ayrault. Il se rendra également dans l'entreprise de tissage Hermès Holding Textile, déjeunera avec le préfet du Rhône Jean-François Carenco et les autorités locales puis conclura sa journée avec la visite de l'usine Bonduelle à Genas.
Actuellement en visite en France, Choummaly Sayasone, le président du Laos, doit faire escale à Lyon jeudi. L'objectif de cette visite est de développer des relations économiques et commerciales entre Lyon et ce pays émergent qui compte plus de 6 millions d'habitants. Selon le Progrès, le président du Laos doit notamment visiter la centrale hydroélectrique et l'écluse de Pierre-Bénite. Il est également attendu dans l'entreprise de tissage Hermès Holding Textile, ainsi qu'à la Maison de la Confluence
Human rights groups have called on France to press the Laotian leader for information about the activist, the 63-year-old head of the Participatory Development Center who disappeared in December 2012 and was last caught on CCTV cameras near a police station in the company of two unidentified individuals.
Europe and France should be concerned about his whereabouts, Debby Stothard of the International Federation of Human Rights told RFI as the two presidents met.
In February the European parliament expressed concern over his fate and the slow progress of the investigation into his disappearance.
A French Foreign Affairs Ministry statement on Monday called on the Laotian authorities to do everythgin possible to investigate the case but there was no indication that Hollande raised the subject with Sayasone in the presidential statement.