Laos, Luxembourg strengthen development cooperation

The friendly relationship and cooperation between Laos and Luxembourg has developed and strengthened over the past decade. 

“We are pleased to observe 12 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our nations,” said Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Europe and America Department, Mr Khouanta Phalivone.
Mr Khouanta was speaking at the 5th Laos-Luxembourg Partnership Commission Meeting held in Vientiane yesterday. The meeting is seen as an important event in further strengthening the existing relationship and boosting cooperation between Laos and Luxembourg.

“It provides us with a valuable opportunity to proceed to the mid-term review of the current indicative cooperation programme (ICP) and to set up formulations for the next programme,” Mr Khouanta said.
Future cooperation plans include a mid-term review of the indicative programme of cooperation 2007-10, formulation of the next programme for 2011-15, priorities for Laos in the 2011- 15 programme and addressing regional challenges and issues.
Since their last partnership commission meeting held in 2007, both sides have implemented many projects and achieved significant outcomes, contributing tremendously to  socioeconomic development in view of achieving the ultimate goal of removing Laos from the UN’s list of least developed countries by 2020.
The programme covers projects in the health, education, rural development, banking and micro-finance sectors. Cooperation between Laos and Luxembourg began in 1996 when both sides signed an agreement for assistance to the Lao health sector.
A General Cooperation Programme was agreed upon soon after, shortly followed by two ICPs. 

“We are now implementing the second ICP for the four-year period 2007 to 2010, worth a total of 439.3 billion kip (35 million euros),” Mr Khouanta said.
The programme covers various areas of cooperation, in particular poverty reduction and supporting the national economic growth strategy of the Lao government.
More recent areas of cooperation include banking and finance, as well as youth affairs and tourism projects. At the meeting, Director of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Development Cooperation Department, Mr Marc Bichler, outlined the development cooperation policies of the two sides, including Luxembourg’s strategies and priorities in development cooperation, development challenges and the Lao government’s strategies for poverty reduction and implementation of the Vientiane Declaration.
Priority areas for Luxembourg include improving governance, addressing climate change and ensuring sustainable development. 

The Lao government is focused on poverty reduction, primarily through implementation of the
national socio-economic development plan (NSEDP) and progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A delegation from Luxembourg is visiting Laos to participate in the 9th Annual Round Table Implementation Meeting on Official Development Assistance and Development in Laos.
The meeting provides an opportunity for the Lao government and its development partners to
discuss issues related to implementation of the 6th NSEDP, review preparations for the 7th NSEDP and progress towards achieving MDGs.

Phonsavanh Vongsay | Vientiane Times, Friday November 6, 2009