English
Laos affirms support for Asia-Europe connectivity
The government’s support for the realisation of Asia-Europe connectivity has been confirmed at a meeting of foreign ministers from the two continents in the belief it will help transform Laos from being landlocked to land-linked.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith made the confirmation while addressing the 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on November 20-21.
Mr Saleumxay noted the role and importance of past relations between Asia and Europe.
He told those present about Laos’ 8th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, including the improvement of infrastructure to transform the country from being landlocked to one that is connected with other nations in the sub-region under the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity 2025, and China’s One Belt, One Road initiative.
Mr Saleumxay praised the foundation of the ASEM Pathfinder Group on Connectivity, which was established during the 11th ASEM Summit last year to study and define connectivity between Asia and Europe, with the results to be disseminated at the ASEM Summit in Belgium next year.
Mr Saleumxay also outlined the results of the 6th Asia-Europe seminar on water management and sustainable development held in Champassak province last month, which was counted as Laos’ contribution to the ASEM cooperation stage.
More than 50 delegations from Asia and Europe attended the meeting in Myanmar, which was titled “Strengthening Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Development”.
The meeting reviewed cooperation between Asia and Europe over the past two decades and discussed the direction of cooperation in the next decade aimed at strengthening growth and prosperity in the two regions and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The ministers exchanged views on current regional and international situations and their impacts on the two continents, especially the threats from terrorism, cybercrime, migration, and natural disasters.
They adopted the chairman’s statement, plan of activities for next year and a document on connectivity that defines the initial direction of expanded cooperation between the two regions.
In Myanmar, Mr Saleumxay also met his counterparts from Luxembourg, Hungary, Ireland, Romania, Japan, Norway, and Denmark, to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laos_affirms_273.html