Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 9.
At the bilateral meeting, Mr. Sonexay Siphandone expressed thanks to the Indonesian president for extending to him an invitation to participate in the 42nd ASEAN Summit which is his first participation in the summit following his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR in January.
He expressed his belief that under the leadership of President Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship 2023 will be a great success.
The two leaders agreed to increase and promote relations and cooperation especially on trade and investment, business to business cooperation, fuel energy, infrastructure development, connectivity and tourism.
Both sides also agreed to continue mutual support and assistance under ASEAN, ASEM and UN, and other multilateral cooperation frameworks. The Indonesian leader also expressed support for the Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024.
On the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also held a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak and agreed with the latter to increase cooperation on trade and tourism.
Prime Minister Sonexay expressed Lao government’s support for Timore Leste’s application for ASEAN membership and its willingness to share experience on ASEAN membership application.
Source: Lao News Agency