Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – US President Barack Obama began his official visit to Laos on September 6, which is the first to the Southeast Asian country made by a US president in history.
Following the welcome ceremony, Obama and Lao President Bounnhang Volatchith held talks, agreeing that the historic visit signals good signs for bilateral ties.
They discussed orientations to bilateral ties in the future, especially the clearance of bombs and mines left over from the war, the search for remains of missing US soldiers in Laos, as well as cooperation in drugs combat, education, investment, trade and socio-culture, and regional and global issues of shared concern.
On the occasion, the US President committed 90 million USD to Laos over the three years to clearing 80 million war-era unexploded ordnances.
Concluding the talks, host and guest issued a joint statement on the establishment of Laos-US Comprehensive Partnership to strengthen bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect and benefit.
The statement made it clear that both countries respect respective political regimes, independence, democracy and territorial integrity, contributing to building and safeguarding peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in each country, the region and the world.
During the visit, President Obama also attended the ASEAN Summits and related meetings.-VNA
