His Excellency General the Hon. Sir Peter COSGROVE, AK MC (Retd)

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Canberra

Your Honourable,

On the occasion of the 229^th Anniversary of the National Day of Australia, on behalf of the Government and people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and on my own behalf, I have the great honor to convey my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Your Honourable, the Government and people of Australia.

It is my great pleasure to note that the long-existing friendly relations and cooperation between the Lao PDR and Australia have reached its 65^th anniversary in 2017. The Lao Government and people highly value and express gratitude for the remarkable assistance and support rendered by the Government and people of Australia to the Lao PDR over the past years, which have continuously contributed to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR. I am confident that such friendly relations and good cooperation will be further enhanced to new heights in further years to come.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Your Honourable good health, well-being, success in your noble task and a Happy New Year.

Please accept, Your Honourable, the assurances of my highest consideration.                                                                                                       

Bounnhang VORACHITH

President of Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Vientiane, 24 January 2017

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His Excellency Hon. Malcolm Turnbull

Prime Minister of Australia

Canberra

Excellency,

On the occasion of the 229^th Anniversary of the National Day of Australia, on behalf of the Government and people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and on my own behalf, I have the great honor to convey my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency, the Government and people of Australia.

I am pleased to note that over the past 65 years, the long standing friendly relations and good cooperation between the Lao PDR and Australia have continuously developed in many sectors. The Lao government and people highly value and would like to express our gratitude to the government and people of Australia for their kind assistance and support rendered to the Lao PDR in the past years. I look forward to working with Your Excellency closely to further enhance the friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries for mutual benefit of our two people. I hope to meet with Your Excellency during the incoming ASEAN-Australia Summit Meeting 2018 in Australia.

May I take this opportunity to wish Your Excellency good health, well-being and success in your noble task.

With my highest consideration,

 Thongloun SISOULITH

 Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic

 Vientiane, 24 January 2017

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Honorable Julie BISHOP

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia.

Canberra

Honorable,

On behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR and on my own behalf, I have a great honor to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to you as well as to the Government and people of Australia on the auspicious occasion of the 65^th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

I am delighted to note that over the past 65 years, the friendly and cooperative relations between the Lao PDR and Australia as well as between the two Foreign Ministries have been continuously developed and expanded in many fields. We have had a regular exchange of high-level visits and meetings. The visit of the Prime Minister of Australia to the Lao PDR during the ASEAN-Australia Summit in September 2016 has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

The Lao Government expresses its sincere thanks to the Government of Australia for the kind assistance rendered to the Lao PDR over the past years, particularly in the areas of Education, Human Resource Development, Rural Development, including the support for the clearance of Unexploded Ordnance and infrastructure development.

In 2012, Lao PDR and Australia had celebrated the 60^th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations with great achievement and this year I do hope that the two countries will jointly organize various activities in order to not only to celebrate our important milestone and our achievement, but also to further invigorate our relations and cooperation.

May I take this opportunity to sincerely wish Honorable Minister good health, happiness and success in your noble tasks and the people of Australia continued prosperity.

Please accept, Honorable Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Saleumxay KOMMASITH

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR

Vientiane, 20 January 2017