Visit of HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Mr. Franz Fayot to Laos

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  1. (de g. à dr.) S.A.R. le Grand-Duc ; Thongloun Sisoulith, Président de la république démocratique populaire Laos

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  2. Illustration

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  3. Illustration

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  4. (de g. à dr.) n.c. ; S.A.R. le Grand-Duc ; Franz Fayot, ministre de la Coopération et de l’Action humanitaire, ministre de l’Économie

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  5. S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  6. Illustration

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  7. (de g. à dr.) n.c. ; n.c. ; Patrick Hemmer, Ambassadeur du Luxembourg à Bangkok ; S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

 

From December 5 to 9 2022 H.R.H. the Grand Duke of Luxembourg led a working visit to Laos, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Franz Fayot, Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action.

The visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Laos. Significant progress has been achieved since the Lao-Luxembourg cooperation started in 1997 in key areas such as health, rural development and education, good governance and the promotion of the rule of law.

The first day was marked by the signature of four development cooperation protocols by Ministers Franz Fayot and H.E. Mr. Khamjane Vongphosy, Minister of Planning and Investment as well as a banquet in honor of H.R.H. the Grand Duke, hosted by the H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Lao PDR.

The second day included visits to the Pasteur Institute of Laos, the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of Laos, the Lao-Luxembourg Institute of Cardiology at the Mahosot Hospital as well as the Sisaket Temple in Vientiane. In the evening, a reception on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relationship was hosted by the Embassy of Luxembourg.

The third day of the working visit to Laos focused on youth development, with visits to the Maria Teresa Hospital in Pon Hong, named after the Grand Duchess during her visit to Laos in 2003 as well as the tourism and hospitality Academy in Vang Vieng.

It was on board the “Lane Xang” – new train inaugurated in 2021 – that H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Minister Fayot reached the city of Luang Prabang on the final day of the visit. Recognized for its authenticity, its natural sites and its cultural heritage, Luang Prabang was listed in 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The delegation visited the National Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Program Visitor Centre. During the “Secret War”, Laos had been bombed continuously for nine years (1964-1973).  Since 1999, Luxembourg has actively supported international efforts to demine the land polluted by UXO. The rest of the day were reserved for cultural visits, notably to the National Museum of Luang Prabang and the Xieng Thong temple and finally, a traditional Baci ceremony.

 

© House of the Grand Duke / Sophie Margue