Colombo, 14 July 2023 (TDI): Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Ali Sabri has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Komassith.
The two officials met at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF), and during this time the Foreign Ministers discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries.
In addition to the discussions between both sides, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister requested the support of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) for Sri Lanka’s application to join the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP).
RCEP entered into force on January 1, 2022, and currently has 15 member countries namely; Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The objectives of RCEP include increasing economic cooperation among member states, enhancing trade and investment-related activities as well as contributing to minimizing the development gap among the parties.
Meanwhile, bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Laos can be dated back to 1965 when the two countries formally established diplomatic relations.
Subsequently, the two countries have been making contact. For example, in 2017 matters regarding mutual interests and mediums of invigorating cultural cooperation, cooperation between legislatures, immigration matters, defence training etc were considered by both sides in a diplomatic meeting.
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In the context of ASEAN, it is pertinent to note that both Sri Lanka and Laos are member states of the Organization.
On this basis, both countries anticipate beneficial bilateral relations while also looking forward to maximizing their membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
