Japan pledges to give financial support to four projects in Laos , including two infrastructure ones, Japanes e Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during his visit to Laos on November 17.

At the talks between Prime Minister Abe and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong, the two sides discussed plans to expand their cooperation in the time to come, especially support for socio-economic development in Laos through Japan ’s ODA projects.

Tokyo and Vientiane agreed to continue the exchange programme among students and youths of Japan and Southeast Asia for the next five years, and open a representative office of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Vientiane as soon as possible.

They will also increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations and work closely to host activities celebrating the two countries’ 50 th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

PM Thongsing Thammavong announced that Laos will exempt Japanese public service passport holders from visas in hope to facilitate the travel between the two countries.

Later, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on healthcare.-VNA