In response to the invitation of Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the PhilippinesMr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, and his delegation paid an official visit to the Republic of Indonesia from 26 to 28 July 2017. It was the first visit of Mr. Saleumxay since taking office as Foreign Minister. This visit would mark a milestone in further strengthening and deepening the traditional and friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Laos and Indonesia.

During the visit, Minister Saleumxay Kommasith had a bilateral talk with his counterpart Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi and the two ministers co-chaired at the 5^thmeeting of Laos-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-5), which took place on 27 July 2017 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta.

Two sides briefed each other about socio-economic development in their countries, reviewed the implementation of past bilateral cooperation, and discussed future cooperation, especially political cooperation and the plans for the official visit to Indonesia by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith later this year. The two Ministers also discussed cooperation in national defense and public security, education, telecommunications and communications, trade and investment, banking, and public works and transport, and agriculture, especially research on production and supply for fertilizers for the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to plans for cultural exchange and tourism promotion between the two nations.

On the multilateral cooperation framework, Lao and Indonesian Foreign Minister reaffirmed their commitment in promoting the ASEAN Community and its goals on maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and around the world. Aside from this, the two sides agreed to continue the mutual support for applying for membership of various organizations in the United Nations network and other international organizations. The Two ministers also exchanged views on the current situation in the region and around the world with consideration common interest.

The two sides highly valued the long-existing tradition of friendly relations and the good cooperation between the two countries, which have been persistently developed and expended, reflecting from the regular exchanges of visits of the top leaders and high-ranking officials, as well as technical staffs of various sectors in recent years.

Both sides highly appreciated the two countries have singed the Memorandum of Understanding on Depositor Protection Fund between Saving Fund Committee, Bank of the Lao PDR, and Saving Insurance Committee of Indonesia. They also praised the two nations for paying attention on the preparation of organizing various activities, namely the exchanges of top-leader visits, cultural exchange programmes, lectures, art and product exhibition, as well as business forum to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Indonesia.

Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, representing the Lao government, thanked the Indonesian government for assisting in human resources development for Laos’ national defense and security, education, telecommunications and communications sectors among others, including Indonesian support to Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship 2016.

In reply, Indonesian Foreign Minister Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi, representing the Indonesian government,thanked to the Lao government for supporting Indonesia’s application for membership of various organizations at the UN network.

Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith invited his counterpart Retno L.P. Marsudi to visit the Lao PDR for attending the next Laos-Indonesia JCBC meeting, which will take place in 2019.

While visiting Jakarta, Mr. Salumxay Kommasith also paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Muhammed Jusuf Kalla. He also visited the Center for Education and Training of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and some Indonesian corporation, namely PT Pupuk Kujang.