Vientiane, capital city of Laos. A walking event held here on August 8 to mark the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 18 years since Laos joined the organisation. (Source: Internet)A walking event was organised in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, on August 8 to mark the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 18 years since Laos joined the organisation.
Among attendees were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith, ministers and representatives of diplomatic delegations and international organisations in Vientiane along with more than 1,000 local residents.
Addressing the event, Thongloun Sisoulith underlined that this is an important year for ASEAN, especially in the context of the upcoming formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of this year.
The success of ASEAN is attributed to the cooperation and solidarity among the ten member states as well as collaboration and support from partner and dialogue countries, he said, adding that it will help ASEAN become a region of peace and stability, and the seventh largest economy in the world.
The walk aims to encourage the Lao people to prepare physical and spiritual health for the success of ASEAN in 2016 when Laos takes the role as Chairman of the association.
Attending the walk, Hos Sereythonh, Cambodian Ambassador to Laos, said such an event will increse connection among ASEAN countries for prosperity, peace and stability.-VNA
