Laos PM arrives in PH for Asean meet

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 8 years ago

Laos’ Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (L) arrives for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila on April 28, 2017.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila, where leaders will discuss territorial disputes, terrorism and economic integration, takes place in the Philippine capital on April 28-29. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN

Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Manila on Friday to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit here.

Thongloun arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 5:30 p.m. Laos hosted last year’s Asean summit.

Thongloun arrived in Manila to attend the Asean Summit plenary to be hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday.

The Philippines is chair of this year’s Asean summit.

Thongloun was appointed the prime minister in 2016 by the National Assembly of the country long controlled by the communist politburo since the end of the Vietnam war.

Also appointed president was Bounnhang Vorachith, who is secretary general of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s (LPRP) Central Committee.

READ: Communist Laos appoints new president, prime minister

Thongloun served as deputy foreign minister, minister of labor and social welfare, and chairman of foreign affairs committee of the National Assembly.

Prior to his election as prime minister, Thongloun served as Lao deputy prime minister and chairman of state planning committee from 2001 to 2006. He also served as Lao deputy prime minister and foreign minister from 2006 until he was appointed prime minister. IDL