Article 1:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a state management organization at the central level within the government apparatus, responsible for studying and advising the Party Central Committee and the government on the foreign policy.

The Ministry is the centre for coordination, integrating ;the implementation of foreign policy throughout the country.  The Ministry is also responsible for the execution of its authority and duties with regard to state management in accordance with its mandates.

CHAPTER II: DUTIES AND SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

Article 2 :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has  the following duties and scope of authority:

           2.1

 To study and realize party and government policies on political and economic relations with foreign countries; to be also the centre for coordination and implementation of those policies.

           2.2

To coordinate with the Commission for External relations of the Party Central Committee concerning foreign affairs activities executed by the party and mass organizations.

           2.3

To study and draft laws on foreign affairs of the Lao People's Democratic republic and to determine rules and regulations for the management of activities relating to them.

          2.4

To make official statements concerning the opinion of the Lao People's Democratic Republic regarding significant events occurring both inside and outside the country; to coordinate with other concerned sectors in the supervision of foreign information and mass media offices operating within the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

          2.5

To make synopses of the world situation and the situations of each country as well as the international and regional organizations; also to regularly evaluate activities on the foreign affairs of the country.

         2.6

To study and submit to the government proposals on the establishment of diplomatic relations with various countries, international and regional organizations, also on the establishment of embassies, representative offices and consulates of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in foreign countries; to grant permission for the establishment of embassies, representative offices and consulates of foreign countries within the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

         2.7

To study and submit proposals to the government concerning the appointment of ambassadors, heads of representative offices and consul generals of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to be stationed abroad.  At the same time to study and submit proposals concerning agreements for the ambassadors, heads of the representative offices and consul generals of foreign countries, and international and regional organizations accredited by the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

        2.8

To coordinate with other concerned sectors in preparatory work for party or government delegations visiting abroad, undertaking missions or attending international conferences.  In addition, to prepare and organise receptions for party and state delegations paying visits to, or executing their missions within, the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

        2.9

To study and advise the government, and manage the implementation of state procedures concerning protocol.

       2.10

To undertake preparations for negotiations and the signing of treaties, protocols and different international conventions; also to supervise and give support in their implementation.  To centralise the management of the original copies of those treaties, protocols and various international conventions signed by the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

      2.11

To take responsibility for negotiations and legal settlements on border problems between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and its neighbouring countries; also to coordinate with other concerned agencies to protect the borders of our country.

      2.12

To centralise the management of diplomatic, official and normal passports; to coordinate with other concerned agencies in the provision of consular services and protecting the rights and benefits of  Lao citizens residing in foreign countries.

      2.13

To guide, manage and monitor directly all functions of the units within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies, the representative offices and the consulates of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in foreign countries.

      2.14

To facilitate the functioning of embassies, representative offices and consulates of foreign countries, and to supervise non-government organisations operating within the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

      2.15

To draw up both long term and short term plans for the development, management and policy implementation of the ministry's responsibilities; to contribute also to the training of officials who are engaged in foreign affairs matters both at the local and central levels.

     2.16

To generate and manage budgets for activities of the Ministry and for ASEAN activities of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in accordance with procedures and regulations.  Also to ensure the proper maintenance of ministry property both within and outside the country.

Article 3 : 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the following scope of authority:

          3.1

To meet, negotiate and sign agreements with different countries and with international as well as regional organisations on behalf of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

          3.2

The Minster of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorised to sign agreements with foreign countries on behalf of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, also to act as the representative of the government, and to issue authorisation to officials of the rank of deputy minister and lower to perform specific tasks as assigned and specified in section 3.1 of this article.

          3.3

To give approval for the organization of international and regional conferences and seminars, for participants from both specialist and technical sectors in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

          3.4

To give approval for the appointment of LPDR’s delegations, consisting of officials from the rank of department heads or equivalent positions downwards, to perform tasks abroad.

          3.5

To give opinions and advice, submit proposals and make inquires concerning central and local services on all problems relating to foreign affairs.

          3.6

To improve the work apparatus. To transfer, appoint, promote, reward, abolish positions, take disciplinary action and implement various policies concerning the staff in the Ministry, in accordance with the general principles of the party and the government.

 CHAPTER III: ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

Article 4 :

Leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affair:

         4.1

The Leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consists of one Minister who is appointed by the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and a number of vice-ministers who are appointed by the Prime Minister.

         4.2

The Minister is a member of the government and the head of the Ministry and reports directly to the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Assembly, with regard to the management of the services under his/her responsibility.

         4.3

The vice-ministers assist the Minister in the management of services.  They are responsible for the detailed work assigned by the Minister within the scope of their responsibility.

Article 5 :

Supervision Committee for Technical Services:

          5.1

The Supervision Committee for Technical Services consists of the chief of the Office of the Minister, the directors of departments, the director of the Institute for Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors of the ministry, who are appointed by the Prime Minister, deputy chiefs of the Office of the Minister, deputy directors of departments and the Institute, who are appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

          5.2

The Supervision Committee for technical Services is responsible for the management and organisation of the ministry's functions, both inside and  outside the country.

          5.3

The plenipotentiary representatives of the Lao People's Democratic Republic are appointed by the President of the LPDR and report directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the functions of the embassies and offices and the means of guiding and directing them.

          5.4

Consul Generals, Economic Counsellors, Information and Cultures Consellors, Education and Diplomatic Counsellors are appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The military attaché is appointed by the Minister of National Defence,  and diplomats are appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

          5.5

The chiefs and deputy chiefs of divisions are appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the recommendations of the relevant departments and the Department for Organization and Personnel.  The Chiefs and deputy chiefs of divisions report directly to the Supervising Committee for Technical Services of the relevant department.

Article 6 :

Organisational Structure of the Ministry

The organisation structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consists of two components, the external and internal sectors.

          6.1

The internal sector consists of the following:

1.    Office of the Minister

2.    Department of Organization and Personnel

3.    Department of Asia, Pacific and Africa

4.    Department of Europe and America

5.    Department of ASEAN

6.    Department of Foreign Economic Cooperation

7.    Department of International Organization

8.    Department of Law and Treaties

9.    Department of Protocol

10.  Department of Press

11.  Department of Consular Affairs

12.  Institute for International Relations

13.  Office of Overseas Missions

           6.2

The external sector consists of embassies, representative offices and consulates.

           6.3

When it is necessary and with the agreement of the Prime Minister, the Ministry may establish new offices, both inside and outside the country.

Article 7 :

The Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorised to regulate the scope of the role, duties, and functions of each department within the Ministry.

CHAPTER IV: WORKING METHOD

Article 8 :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs functions and operates in accordance with the following principles:

Implementation of the principle of centralised democracy, characterised by collective leadership and individual responsibility.  Implementation of unitary leadership based on a clear division of work at all levels, along with appropriate delegation of authority for decision-making, within the scope of  authority of each level and each individual.

          8.1

Implementation of the principle of centralised democracy, characterised by collective leadership and individual responsibility.  Implementation of unitary leadership based on a clear division of work at all levels, along with appropriate delegation of authority for decision-making, within the scope of  authority of each level and each individual.

         8.2

Adherence to the general guidelines and approach to external relations established by the party and the government. On that basis, to develop strategies and tactics for international relations activities.

         8.3

Periodic strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of all activities, with regular reports to the government.

         8.4

Work closely with the grassroots within the Ministry and abroad, at the central and local levels, in order to monitor, support and improve performance so that foreign affairs activities are practically and successfully carried out.

         8.5

Work in close coordination and collaboration with all concerned sectors at the central and local levels.

CHAPTER V: FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 9 :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its components, have their own seal for official purposes, in accordance with government procedures.

Article 10 :

This decree becomes effective on the date of its signing, and replaces the decree of the Prime Minister No. 09/PM date 10.02.1993.  Any rules and regulations which contradict any part of this decree are hereby annulled.

Article 11 :

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister's Office and the central and local organisation are hereby informed and enjoined to strictly implement this decree accordingly.

                                                             Vientiane, date 17.03.2000

                                                             Prime Minister of the Lao PDR

                                                                 Sisavath Keobounphanh