MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Senator the Hon. Bob Carr
February 18, 2013
FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS LAOS AND THAILAND
Foreign Minister Bob Carr will this week visit Laos and Thailand to emphasise the importance of Australia’s long-standing relationships within South-East Asia.
On his first visits as Foreign Minister to Laos and Thailand, Senator Carr will meet with government and business leaders, academics and representatives of health and non-government organisations.
Senator Carr said Thailand and Laos are important regional partners and members of ASEAN.
“Laos has one of the fastest growing economies in the region and Thailand is our ninth largest trading partner.
“Australia is one of the largest bilateral aid donors to Laos, providing $47.8 million in 2012-13.
“We are supporting Laos – the newest member of the World Trade Organization – to promote further economic integration and diversification of its economy”, Senator Carr said.
In Laos, Senator Carr will meet Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and the Planning and Investment Minister, Somdy Douangdy.
Senator Carr will visit hospitals to discuss avoidable blindness and meet Australian volunteer surgical teams.
He will award scholarships to Lao students under the Laos-Australia National Scholarships scheme.
Senator Carr will inspect work funded by Australia to safely remove the hazard of unexploded ordnance that puts farmers and children at risk in large parts of regional Laos.
Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history and one third of its land is still contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Since 1996 Australia has provided more than $24 million in related assistance.
In Thailand, Senator Carr will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
The meetings provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional developments with a key South-East Asian partner.
This builds on the visit by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck to Australia in 2012, reinforcing our trade and security links.
Senator Carr will meet Australian business representatives in Thailand who are taking advantage of commercial opportunities in South-East Asia’s second largest economy and tapping into regional supply chains.
Australia celebrated the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations with both Laos and Thailand in 2012.
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