French Presidency of the Council of the European Union celebrated in Vientiane

The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union is in effect from January to June this year, with a reception held last week at the French Residence in Vientiane to celebrate the presidency.
The reception featured a mini concert and an exhibition of the photographic series named “Homo Urbanus Europeanus” by Jean-Marc Caracci, presented by the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR, the French Embassy and the French Institute in Vientiane.
The reception was hosted by the Ambassador of France to Laos, Mrs Siv-Leng Chhuor, and the Ambassador of the European Union, Mrs Ina Marciulionyté, and attended by

Ambassadors and ministers gather for a group photo at the reception in Vientiane.

numerous Lao and foreign dignitaries.
They included the Minister of Planning and Investment, Mr Khamjane Vongphosy; Minister of Energy and Mines, Dr Daovong Phonekeo; Minister of Education and Sports, Associate Professor Dr Phouth Simmalavong; Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mrs Bounkham Vorachit; and the Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.
High-level officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Forestry also attended the reception, as well as ambassadors, and representatives of international organisations.
Speaking at the reception, the Ambassador of France and the Ambassador of the European Union highlighted the work done by France and the EU, and their cooperation in Laos and Asean.
The French Ambassador recalled the three main axes of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU: economic recovery and revival, power and strength, and belonging and membership to reinforce the European heritage, culture, shared values, common history and destiny. 
The French Presidency will work to implement the French and European strategy on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through concrete projects around several axes: balanced, responsible and sustainable economic development, connectivity and deployment of quality and sustainable infrastructure, and global issues (climate, environment, biodiversity, health and education).
To this end, a ministerial forum took place in Paris on February 22, bringing together ministers from the European Union and the Indo-Pacific region to provide a platform for balanced discussion and to engage in concrete cooperation projects for the implementation of the European strategy on the Indo-Pacific.   
On all those questions, France and the European Union are determined to strengthen their presence in the Indo-Pacific region in order to be partners of choice in contributing to the development objectives of Laos and other Asean countries. 
Among the initiatives, the Global Gateway in the field of connectivity and infrastructure can be highlighted, as well as the regional project “One Health in Asia” relating to the prevention of infectious diseases, and bilateral projects led by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on agro-ecology and the protection of ecosystems. 
Other projects are under discussion between France and Asean regarding energy transition and improvement of air quality within the framework of the development partnership between France and Asean.
The Ambassador of France concluded by reaffirming her desire to broaden and enrich the friendly relations that bind Laos to France and the EU.

By Visith Tepplath
(Latest Update February 28, 2022)