Laos reviews preparation for 2016 ASEAN chairmanship
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith held a working session in Vientiane on May 4 to discuss the work being undertaken as Laos prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2016.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith held aworking session in Vientiane on May 4 to discuss the work beingundertaken as Laos prepares to chair the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) in 2016.
Participants,including representatives of 13 subcommittees of the National Committeeresponsible for the preparation, reviewed the progress made so far andoutlined the work that still needs to be done.
During the meeting, Sisoulith, who is also Standing Vice Chairman of theNational Committee, urged the subcommittees to devise detailed plans tosubmit to his working group.
At the 26th ASEANSummit in Malaysia on April 27, Lao Prime Minister ThongsingThammavong proposed that Laos will host two ASEAN Summits back toback in November next year. His proposal was supported by leaders ofother ASEAN member states.
Laos first chaired ASEANin 2004. Its second ASEAN chairmanship will take place shortly after thebloc forms the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of this year.-VNA
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