Laos, Switzerland sign agreement to cement development cooperation

Laos and Switzerland have signed an agreement to enhance their bilateral longstanding ties and cooperation, during an official two-day visit to Laos by the Swiss Vice President Mr Ignazio Cassis.
The Framework Agreement on Technical, Cultural, Financial and Economic Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance was signed on Wednesday by Mr Cassis and Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Sonexay Siphandone.
The agreement aims to deepen cooperation in the areas of employment and vocational training, agriculture and food security, climate change, governance and citizen participation, and humanitarian aid.

It establishes a legal framework for the implementation of cooperation measures. Under the agreement, the two partners commit to respect democratic principles and fundamental rights, the sustainable development goals of the Agenda 2030, and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Mr Cassis said “I am convinced that Switzerland can contribute to balanced economic and social progress in Laos.”
Dr Sonexay expressed his appreciation of the support extended to Laos by Switzerland.
“We would like to kindly request that the Government of Switzerland continues to provide technical and financial support to Laos in the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan,” he said.
Switzerland has maintained diplomatic relations with Laos since 1963 and has been involved in development cooperation since 1995. Switzerland is the eighth largest bilateral donor to Laos.
In 2006, Switzerland opened a cooperation office in Vientiane, since when over 100 million Swiss Francs have flowed into development projects in Laos.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)’s new four-year cooperation programme, worth more than 60 million Swiss Francs, is based on Switzerland’s International Cooperation Strategy for 2021-2024.
During his visit, Mr Cassis also called on Lao President Mr Thongloun Sisoulith and met the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 5, 2021)