Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay expressed his congratulations to Minister Kamikawa on her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and his welcome to her visit to the Lao PDR and expressed his appreciation for Japan's support for the economic and social development of Laos and for Japan's support for the ASEAN Chairmanship Year to be held by Laos next year.
Minister Kamikawa expressed her willingness to further strengthen the ASEAN-Japan relationship as Laos assumes the ASEAN chairmanship next year, and to continue to fully cooperate with Laos for the success of its ASEAN chairmanship. She also said that she would like to cooperate with Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights, taking the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos in 2025.

1. Minister Kamikawa stated that she was pleased to see the recent active exchange of dignitaries between the two countries, and that this was proof of the growing importance of bilateral relations between Japan and Laos. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay said that various high-level dialogues have deepened bilateral relations and strengthened the strategic partnership of the two countries.
2. Minister Kamikawa, referring to Japan's support for Laos' socioeconomic development, stated that Japan would like to continue cooperation in the development of the legal system, strengthening of connectivity, and financial stabilization, as well as expanding cooperation in new areas such as climate change and clean energy. She also expressed her willingness to contribute to the economic development of Laos through expansion of Japanese companies’ business in Laos.
   In response, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay expressed his gratitude for Japan's support to Laos, and stated that he would like to promote the expansion of cooperation in new areas. He said that Laos will work to address its national challenge of fiscal stabilization, and expressed his willingness to cooperate with Japan to attract more Japanese companies to Laos.
3. Minister Kamikawa stated that, from the viewpoint of strengthening strategic partnership, she would like to promote security cooperation and continue the capacity building project for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
4. Also, Minister Kamikawa, referring to the wide-ranging exchanges between the peoples of the two countries, expressed her willingness to continue to promote attractive cultural and human exchanges.
   In response, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay stated that Laos would like to actively promote people-to-people exchange to contributes to the Laos Tourism Year in 2024.