Flying to Laos, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation and Strategic Issues

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Anis Matta discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation to strategic issues during a working visit to Vientiane and met with a number of parties on Monday.

During a meeting with Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Anouparb Vongnorkeo, both parties discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Laos, including plans for the Lao Foreign Minister to visit Jakarta in the near future.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of reactivating the long-delayed Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) mechanism, as well as the use of the momentum of the 70th anniversary of Indonesian-Lao diplomatic relations in 2027 to encourage more concrete cooperation, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in its statement, as quoted (21/4).

The two deputy foreign ministers also discussed efforts to increase cooperation in various fields, including the economy, investment, tourism and culture, as well as the importance of strengthening coordination in the face of regional dynamics.

Apart from the meeting, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs also held a meeting with the Lao Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, the Vice President of the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) Lao Pao Song Navongxay, and the President of the Lao Islamic Organization Somboune Khan.

The meetings discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of politics and security, inter-community relations, and inter-religious dialogue.

The series of meetings was warm and productive, and confirmed the commitment of both countries to continue strengthening cooperation in various fields, both at the government level and between people, to support regional stability and prosperity.

During this visit, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs was accompanied by the Acting Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Vientiane, Achmad Dahlan and the Director of Southeast Asia of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elizani T. X. Nadia Sumampouw.