US President Barack Obama on Sept 8 in Vientiane Capital met with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to discuss the rapidly growing relationship between the U.S. and the Lao PDR.

The discussion took place during his attendance at the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits in Laos from Sept 6-8.

On the occasion of the first visit ever by a US president to Laos, the two sides issued a joint declaration on a Comprehensive Partnership between the Lao PDR and the United States of America and explored areas for future cooperation.

Through this partnership, the United States and the Lao PDR opened a new era of bilateral relations based on mutual respect, common interests, and a shared desire to heal the wounds of the past to build a foundation for the future.

The new Comprehensive Partnership will create mechanisms for cooperation in areas including political and diplomatic relations, trade and economic ties, education and training, the environment and health, war legacy issues, security, human rights, and people-to-people ties.

At the talk, President Obama expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended to him and also confirmed that the US would assist Laos in UXO clearance from the war in the past and cooperate in other important projects with Laos in the future.

Prime Minister Thongloun thanked President Obama for his commitment in cooperation especially in UXO clearance and the increase in financial support of $90 million over the next three years to conduct a comprehensive UXO survey of Laos and funding in other sectors.

During the talks, President Obama commended Laos for its rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit thereby enhancing the role and reputation of the Lao PDR in regional and international arenas.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by Phetsamone

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