VIENTIANE: Ambassadors representing Singapore and Russia on Monday (Dec 8) presented their credentials to President Thongloun Sisoulith following their appointment as diplomatic representatives to Laos, in a ceremony held at the Presidential Office in Vientiane.
President Thongloun welcomed and congratulated the two ambassadors, namely the Singapore Ambassador to Laos, Ong Siew Gay, and the Russian Ambassador to Laos, Sergey Vladimirovich Zhestkii.
He expressed confidence that, through their years of diplomatic experience, lessons learned, and expertise, the ambassadors would significantly strengthen the friendship and good cooperation between Laos and their respective governments, under both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
This includes arranging reciprocal visits by high-level leaders and fostering closer links between citizens, to create a strong foundation for boosting cooperation in economic affairs, trade, investment, and other sectors of potential and mutual interest.
The President also advised the two ambassadors to push for the practical implementation of Memorandums of Understanding jointly signed between participating governments.
He also suggested that the ambassadors travel to provinces in Laos to observe the current state of social and economic development, as well as encourage interested business operators to increase investment in Laos.
At the same time, President Thongloun expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the ambassadors’ governments to Laos in past years, which he said had made a strong contribution to Laos’ socio-economic development.
He also expressed the hope that both ambassadors would cooperate with and support Laos in the future.
In return, the incoming ambassadors thanked the President for his kind words and the warm welcome they had received.
They affirmed their commitment to fostering friendly relations and good cooperation between Laos and their respective countries, with the aim of achieving new heights of collaboration for the benefit of each country and its citizens.
On the same day, President Thongloun presented credentials to two newly appointed Lao ambassadors, namely Vithaya Xayavong as the new Lao ambassador to India, and Thipphasone Sengsouliya, who takes up the post of Lao ambassador to the Philippines.
The President congratulated the two diplomats on their appointments and instructed them to contribute all their energy, knowledge, and abilities into further strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Laos and their host countries.
They were directed to ensure the effective implementation of various cooperation plans previously agreed to, and to encourage regular exchanges between Laos and their host governments and the citizens of each country.
President Thongloun further urged them to seek out various forms of cooperation and assistance from the international community and to encourage more foreign investors, business operators and tourists to come to Laos, for the benefit of all Lao citizens. - Vientiane Times/ANN
