VIENTIANE, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has kicked off its 14th meeting, aiming to review and approve a new working plan to cope with the changing global environment, local media reported Friday.
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith presided over the opening ceremony of the two day-meeting in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday. About 500 officials including ministers, deputy provincial governors, ambassadors, Lao diplomats posted overseas and others from the ministry attended the event, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Friday.
In his address, Saleumxay said the meeting is endeavouring to analyze the global situation, which may have direct and indirect impacts on national development as well as to discuss and approve the new working plan on foreign affairs for 2020-2022.
"The meeting aims to ensure that foreign affairs operations, which are taking place amid the rapid and complex change of the regional and global environment, can make significant contributions to the task of national protection and development in line with the Party and government policies as well as to welcome the ninth Party congress," Saleumxay was quoted as saying in a statement.
Saleumxay said over the past three years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursued the Party's foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation, adding that one of the outstanding policy implementations included the protection of Lao sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier this week, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with business people to foster cooperation between the two sectors in mobilizing foreign investment in Laos.
