Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Bounpone Bouttanavong, Vice-President of the National Assembly of Lao People`s Democratic Republic

Vice-President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR Bounpone Bouttanavong warmly welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation and expressed his assurance that this visit will contribute to the development of friendly ties between the two countries.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov mentioned the significance of exchange of high level visits in order to promote bilateral relations and cooperation. Recalling his Laotian counterpart’s official visit to Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his satisfaction with his first official visit to Laos.

He drew attention to the significant role of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing bilateral relations and talked about the establishment of Friendship Groups in legislative bodies.

At the meeting the sides stressed the importance of enhancement of successful cooperation in human resource development, particularly in the field of education and continuation of exchange of students and researchers based on the traditions established since the Soviet times. It was mentioned that more than 2000 Laotian students studied in Azerbaijan and now they are closely involved in the development of Laos in different fields.

Elmar Mammadyarov briefed his counterpart about Azerbaijan’s role in the region, large-scale transport-infrastructure and energy projects launched with the initiative of Azerbaijan. He also drew attention to the occupation and aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and ongoing negotiation process on the settlement of the conflict.

At the meeting the sides exchanged views on the expansion of legal-treaty base between two countries and cooperation issues within the framework of the international parliamentary organizations.