Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sisoulith Thongloun will arrive in Manila on Monday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with the Philippines, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement on Sunday.
During the visit, Thongloun will meet with Philippine Vice President Noli De Castro to discuss ways to further strengthen Philippine-Lao bilateral relations, specifically, the contributions and continued participation of Philippine workers inthe socio-economic and cultural development of Laos.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo will hold talks with Thongloun to discuss ways by which the Philippines and Laos can further cooperate in advancing the objectives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including early realization of the ASEAN Community and ratification of the ASEAN Charter, said DFA.
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Lao People's Democratic Republic were established shortly after the latter obtained independence in 1949. The two countries established resident missions in their respective capitals in 1997 following the entry of Laos into the ASEAN.
The Philippines was one of the original ASEAN members that campaigned for the realization of the enlarged vision of ASEAN-10,which include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam into the grouping.
There are about 239 Philippine workers in Laos, mostly of them employed in hotels. There are also Philippine teachers, nurses, engineers, accountants, office workers and consultants working for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international organizations operating in Laos.
"These Philippine workers are greatly appreciated by the people and government of Laos because of their valuable contribution to the country's economic development," the DFA said.
Source:Xinhua
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