Canadian minister of foreign affairs visits Laos

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird arrived in Laos Monday for a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongloun Sisoulith. This is the first time a Canadian foreign affairs minister has visited Laos. "Foreign Minister John Baird and I have discussed ways and means to enhance our bilateral cooperation, and we expressed our deep thanks to Canada for extending its support in our national social and economic development efforts including the clearance of unexploded ordinance," Sisoulith said at a press conference following the meeting. "I'm very pleased to be the first Canadian Foreign Minister to make a bilateral visit to your country. We are excited about what we see going on here, the significant economic growth, the significant progress in eradicating poverty and we look forward to partnering with you to benefit both of our peoples," Baird said. "Next year we will celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations. I think we both agree that we have tremendous opportunities unrealized, opportunities on a variety of levels in our relationship. I think my visit here demonstrates Canada's keen desire to step up our engagement with the people and government of Laos," he concluded.