Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand held a virtual introductory meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR to enhance bilateral cooperation and further strengthen the “Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development” in the context of the post Covid-19 economic and social recovery.

On 25 January 2021, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, held a virtual introductory meeting with H.E. Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and further strengthen the “Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development” that would yield tangible benefits for the peoples of the two countries, in particular, in the context of the post Covid-19 economic and social recovery.

The discussion encompassed the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Lao PDR, Thailand’s development cooperation projects and their contributions to Lao PDR’s efforts to achieve socio-economic development goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and closer cooperation on border related issues, especially public health, illegal border-crossing, and labour management.

Both sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation on economic recovery, such as resuming of border checkpoints to facilitate border trade, enhancing connectivity between Thailand and Lao PDR, and increasing cooperation on digital economy.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation at both sub-regional and regional levels, in particular, advancing economic connectivity in the Mekong sub-region under the framework of ACMECS, of which Lao PDR will assume the Chairmanship during 2021-2023.