Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Maris Sangiempongsa will pay a one-day official visit to Laos PDR to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a diplomatic source.
This will be his first official visit abroad. Traditionally, the newly appointed Thai foreign minister makes an inaugural trip to this neighboring country.
During his visit, he will call on Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and discuss matters with his Lao counterpart, Saleumxay Kommasith.
Besides bilateral issues, the top agenda items will include ASEAN affairs under the chairmanship of Laos PDR and ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to affected Myanmar villages across the border.
Under Lao leadership, the ASEAN theme is “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Thailand depends on land connectivity between Laos and China as well as Vietnam.
Last year, during the visit of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, both countries pledged to increase the volume of bilateral trade to US$11 billion by 2025. He also expressed Thailand’s readiness to support economic activity between the two countries and to turn Laos and northeastern Thailand into a “growth area.”
Marit held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in Tokyo earlier this week.
File photo : Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
