Government of Timor-Leste

The Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão completed his first official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The Prime Minister arrived in the capital, Vientiane, on September 9 following his official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Official proceedings began the following day with a welcome ceremony at the Government Palace where the Prime Minister inspected the Guards of Honour before commencing bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Thongsing Thammavong.

In this meeting, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão took the opportunity to brief the Laotian Prime Minister on the progress of Timor-Leste, explaining that it now enjoys a climate of peace and stability and is focussed on development.

The Prime Minister also raised Timor-Leste’s intention to join ASEAN and its commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity. The country’s growing global engagement and the importance that it placed on international cooperation was also explained. This included discussion of Timor-Leste chairing of the g7+ group of fragile and conflict affected nations and the 69^th Session of the UN ESCAP.

Noting that both countries had a similar history of colonialism and conflict and shared similar challenges, the Prime Minister commented that despite this hardship, both countries have made remarkable achievements and share a deep commitment to improving the lives of their people.

The Laotian Prime Minister stated that this visit by Prime Minister Gusmão was the beginning of a long-term cooperation and friendship and that there were untapped potential areas for cooperation between the two countries. He further added that his government was keen to learn and share experiences with Timor-Leste and proposed exchange visits at various levels to enhance relations between the two nations and to work together for mutual benefit. Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong also reiterated his country’s support for Timor-Leste’s entry into ASEAN.

Following the bilateral discussions, both Prime Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation that was witnessed by members of their respective Governments, which for Timor-Leste included the Minister for Tourism and the Secretary of State for ASEAN Affairs.

The Prime Minister continued his official visit with a courtesy call on the President of the Republic before laying a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument in memory of all those who gave their lives for the independence struggle. The Prime Minister then met with the President of the National Assembly who asked that her invitation be conveyed to the President of Timor-Leste’s National Parliament to visit the Lao PDR.

The day ended with an official banquet hosted by the Laotian Prime Minister in honour of Prime Minister Gusmão.

The official delegation departed Vientiane to begin a four day official visit to Myanmar, the last leg of the Prime Minister’s 15 day, four country tour of ASEAN countries.