The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday the upcoming visit of Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), to the Philippines from August 12 to 14, upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

According to the DFA, the two ministers will co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Philippine–Lao PDR Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on August 13, marking the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on 14 January 1955.

Thongsavanh’s visit will be the first by a Southeast Asian foreign minister to be welcomed by Secretary Lazaro since she assumed office in July.

The DFA also highlighted the contributions of Filipinos to the Lao PDR’s development.

“There are approximately 2,000 Filipinos in the Lao PDR, engaged in the fields of education, hotel services, engineering, and infrastructure development, and they are held in high esteem as contributors to Lao PDR's growth and development,” the DFA said.

The meeting aims to further strengthen ties between the Philippines and fellow ASEAN member-states.