Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong held talks on bilateral cooperation with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Vientiane on November 17.
Accordingly, Japan will assist Lao socio-economic development through official development assistance (ODA) as well as financing four projects in poverty reduction, Wattay international airport, bomb and mine clearance and the construction of Sekong Bridge .
The two prime ministers agreed to maintain regular high level delegation exchanges as well as a youth programme between Japan and Southeast Asia countries (JENESYS 2.0) with the participation of around 1,500 people in the next five years.
They also agreed to open a representative office of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Vientiane in the near future, and work together in numerous activities to mark the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic between the two countries in 2015.
Host and guest also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
PM Thongsing Thammavong informed his counterpart of the visa exemption for Japanese official passport holders to create more convenient transport and exchanges between the two countries.
On the occasion, the two PM witness the signing of a bilateral agreement on health care.
The same day, Abe met with Lao President Coummaly Sayasone.
With the trip to Laos and Cambodia the previous day, Abe has now visited all 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since taking office last December.
The tour come ahead of a special summit slated for December in Tokyo to mark the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation./.
