The country's successful hosting of regional and international events along with expanding diplomatic and cooperation ties with foreign countries were outstanding foreign affairs' achievements over the past five years. The Lao People's Revolutaionary Party (LPRP) Secretary General Choummaly Sayasone pointed to these accomplishments in his address at the Third Congress of the Party organ of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which concluded yesterday. “Despite the fast changing and increasingly complicated global situation with political, economic and social crises such as terrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters that have occurred in many countries, under the ministry's Party committee leadership the foreign affairs sector has succeeded in implementing its burdening political duty,” Mr Choummaly said. He praised the ministry's leaders in paying close attention to political ideology training for civil servants and Party members so they understood the Party directives and guidance well, and were aware of and respected the law. He also praised the ministry for implementing foreign affairs activities following their planned priorities under the slogan: ‘Preventive diplomacy to advance the mission of national defence and development'. Secretary General Choummaly noted the country's practice of the direction given by the Ninth LPRP Congress on foreign policy adherence to peace, independence, friendship, cooperation and the expansion of multi-lateral and multi-directional cooperation ties in the form of bilateral and multi-lateral frameworks, has brought new atmosphere to the country's foreign relations. He pointed out the number of foreign countries Laos had established diplomatic relations with, which reached 136, and the 38 diplomatic representative offices the country had overseas, while more countries expressed their intention to establish relations with Laos. He also mentioned the clear stance the country had on regional and international issues and disputes, and the government's skills and expertise in solving disagreements where the concerned parties understood and accepted the resolution. Deputy Minister Saleumxay Kommasith was elected as the Sectetary Party Organ, and the recently appointed Deputy Minister Mr Sengphet Houngbounnhuang was elected as Deputy Secretary. Other members of the ministry's Party Standing Committee are Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and Ms Khamphao Eunthavanh, who were also appointed as deputy ministers recently. The new executive board of the ministry's Party committee has 15 members, in which the oldest members are 57 and the youngest are 47 years old. Mr Choummaly praised Party leaders in the ministry as young people who are knowledgeable and capable. He stressed for the new Party leaders to enhance revolutionary ideology and increase close relationship with members of the general public to find out and understand their living conditions and intentions, especially poor people. He called on the leaders to be role models in learning the Party directives, state laws and regulations, socio-economic development plan of every period, translating them to programmes and projects of each sub-sector for effective implementation. Continuous learning about their professional subjects, especially from working practices and colleagues, along with having clear positions and being sensible as wise counsellors to the government on foreign affairs, was also in the call by the Secretary General on the leaders. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongloun Sisoulith also attended the meeting. By Somxay Sengdara (Latest Update September 17, 2015)

• published: 17 Sep 2015
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