Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith calls on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,  7 December 2023.
Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saleumxay Kommasith, strengthens ties with Singapore leaders during a working visit, addressing key issues and fostering collaboration

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Saleumxay Kommasith, conducted a series of engagements with Singaporean leaders on 7 December 2023. The purpose of his visit was to deliver the 24th ASEAN Lecture on Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay’s itinerary included a lunch hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Heng Swee Keat, and a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Additionally, he interacted with a group of Lao senior officials participating in a capacity-building program in Singapore.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith with English Language Training for Senior Laotian Officials (ELTSLO) course participants and officials from MFA and the SEAMEO Regional Language Centre on 7 December 2023.
Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

In their discussions, Prime Minister Lee and Deputy Prime Minister Heng underscored the strong relations between Singapore and Laos. Both leaders acknowledged the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024, emphasizing the significance of continuous high-level exchanges and growing people-to-people connections. The talks encompassed plans to enhance bilateral cooperation, with a focus on emerging sectors like renewable energy and the digital economy.

Singapore pledged its support for Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, including assistance through the Singapore-Laos Enhanced Cooperation Package (SLECP). Discussions between Prime Minister Lee, Deputy Prime Minister Heng, and Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay delved into Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship priorities and challenges, with an emphasis on maintaining ASEAN Centrality and unity. Deputy Prime Minister Heng highlighted the success of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) as a demonstration of the feasibility of multilateral power trading in the region.

The leaders also touched upon the shared commitment of Singapore and Laos to human resource development. Prime Minister Lee commended the participation of Lao officials in the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and encouraged increased involvement in relevant SCP courses. Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay met with 19 senior Lao officials undergoing the English Language Training for Senior Lao Officials program at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Regional Language Centre (SEAMEO RELC). This program is part of Singapore’s commitment to supporting Laos’ human capital development through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI).

For talking points of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saleumxay Kommasith on 24th ASEAN Lecture on Laos’ PDR ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 visit here

Source – MFA and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute