Vientiane, 25^th March 2020

Your Excellency,

Congratulatory Message by His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

On the occasion of the 4^th Anniversary of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Establishment

(23 March 2016 - 23 March 2020)

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On the occasion of the 4^th Anniversary of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC), which falls on 23^rd March 2020, on behalf of the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, I would like to convey my profound congratulations and salutations to all people of the MLC Member Countries, including the Lao PDR.

While the international community is facing both expanding opportunity and rising challenges, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has played an important role in strengthening multilateralism and mutual support for win-win cooperation in order to address regional and international challenges, thus contributing to shared future of prosperity for all. This year, the outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a broad impact to the regional and global socio-economic development as well as the people’s livelihood and spirit. The leading role and the ability of China to comprehensively control over the outbreak in a timely manner provide confidence and strong support to the international community to win the battle against COVID-19.

Vientiane,​ 23 March 2020

Excellency,

I have closely followed with concern the current situation on the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which caused loss of lives of Iranian people including high ranking officials as well as severely affected the livelihood of the Iranian people.