In responded to an invitation from H.E.Mr. Saleumxay KOMMASITH, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, H.E.Mr. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste led his delegation paid his first official visit to Lao PDR between June 5-8^th, 2019, since he was promoted as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the Lao PDR and Timor-Leste.

The bilateral meeting between H.E.Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Foreign Minister of the Lao PDR and H.E.Mr. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, was held on June 6^th at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vientiane.

In the bilateral meeting, H.E. Saleumxay KOMMASITH welcomed and expressed his great appreciation for the official visit to Lao PDR by H.E. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares and his Delegation. In addition, this visit would significantly contribute to further strengthening the friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries. Moreover, two Ministers highly valued the friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in July 29^th 2002, reflecting from the exchanges of visits of the leaders and high-ranking officials of the two countries over the past years.

Furthermore, the two Ministers agreed to continue enhancing economy and trade, industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, labor, tourism and etc. Besides, they also informed their social-economic developments, exchanged views on ASEAN framework and the current situation of mutual interest in the region and the world.

Minister Saleumxay Kommasith expressed, on behalf of the government and people of the Lao PDR, sincere thanks to the government and people of Timor-Leste for their support with subsidy of about US$750.000 to Laos for the incident of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power dam collapsed in Attapeu province 2018.

In reply, Minister Dionisio da Costa Babo Soaresexpressed his appreciation to the Lao government and People for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to him during his visit to the Lao PDR. Additionally, He also thanked the Lao side for supporting to the accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN over the past years. He agreed to continue enhancing friendship and cooperation between the two countries to bring mutual benefits for the people of both countries.