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Laos celebrates ASEAN founding anniversary

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a hoisting ceremony of the ASEAN and Lao flags on Aug. 7 to mark the 45th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and 15 years since Laos became an official member of the regional grouping.
The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a hoisting ceremony of theASEAN and Lao flags on Aug. 7 to mark the 45th founding anniversary ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations and 15 years since Laosbecame an official member of the regional grouping.

Addressing the event, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Alounkeo Kittikhounemphasised that the ASEAN flag symbolises the harmony, stability,solidarity and strength of its member countries.

Headded that the flag-hoisting ceremony brought meaning to Laos andother countries to heighten their awareness and understanding of theassociation, with the aim of establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015based on three pillars: politic-security community, economic communityand socio-cultural community.

The Deputy ForeignMinister also reviewed the 45-year-route of building and developing ofASEAN, saying that the grouping now has become an active andcomprehensive cooperation organisation in the region, playing animportant role in both the region and the world.

Hecommitted that under the leadership of the Lao People’s RevolutionaryParty, State and Government, the country will work with other membercountries to build the ASEAN Community successfully for the benefit ofall people, contributing to protecting peace, stability and developmentin the region and the world.-VNA
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