Vientiane,   07 February 2019

Your Honorable,

            On behalf of the Lao Government and the entire people on my own behalf, I would like to extend to Your Honorable my warmest and sincere congratulations on your appointment as the Governor-General of Australia.

I highly value the traditional friendship and effective cooperation between the Lao PDR and Australia that have been growing continuously over the past 66 years. The Lao Government and people express gratitude to the Government and Australia people for the valuable support and assistance extended to the Lao PDRover the past years, which have significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR.

Over the past years, our two countries have regularly exchanged visits at all levels. The significant events occurred in 2018 are the meeting between our two Prime Ministers during the ASEAN-Australia Special Summitin March in Australia.

I am confident that our long-existing friendship will be further enhanced and I look forward to working with Your Honorable in the years to come in order to bring about tangible benefits for our two peoples.

May I take this auspicious occasion to wish Your Honorable good health, well-being and success in your noble tasks.

Please accept, Honorable, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Bounnhang VORACHITH

His Excellency General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Canberra