Addressing an event held in Vientiane on Jun 22 to mark Luxembourg’s National Day and 19th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Luxembourg, a diplomat said that Luxemburg remains committed to its partnership with Laos.

"Over the past five years, Luxembourg has provided more than EUR 50 million to support Laos' national development," Luxembourg Ambassador to Laos Robert Lauer told the gathering also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Education and Sports Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune, and representatives of international organisations.

The new, fourth Cooperation Programme designed for 2016-2020, has an increased budget of EUR 60 million to be used in the sectors of health, rural development, vocational education, and governance.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic has been a partner country with Luxembourg since both countries established diplomatic relations at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in 1997. 

With the overall objective of poverty reduction, Luxembourg has supported the efforts of the Lao government towards the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals as well as towards the graduation from Least Developed Country status by 2020.