Vientiane:Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, met with Ms. Katharina Wieser, the Austrian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, during the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions held in Vientiane.
According to Lao News Agency, Mr. Thongsavanh expressed gratitude to Ambassador Wieser for Austria’s participation in the conference and emphasized the longstanding diplomatic relations between Laos and Austria, which were established on September 1, 1967.
The officials agreed to plan activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, aiming to strengthen the bond between the two nations. They discussed expanding economic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and tourism.
In addition, they explored development cooperation opportunities, focusing on infrastructure and clean energy, with potential support from the European Union, ASEAN-Austria cooperation, and international organizations to aid Laos’s socio-economic development.
Mr. Thongsavanh also updated the Austrian Ambassador on Laos’s efforts to graduate from Least Developed Country status by the end of 2026. He thanked Austria for its previous support and requested continued assistance to ensure a smooth graduation process, particularly in trade preferences and policy support.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support in regional and international forums, with the Lao side expressing appreciation for Austria’s role in the successful organization of the international conference on cluster munitions.
