On Friday, March 16, commencing at shortly after 5:30 p.m. for around 40 minutes, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the Prime Minister's Office. An outline of the meeting is as follows.

1. General remarks
   Prime Minister Noda welcomed Prime Minister Thongsing, who chose to visit Japan as his first foreign destination outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, and expressed gratitude for the support received from Lao PDR at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Additionally, Prime Minister Noda noted that Japan attaches considerable importance to Lao PDR, which is centrally located in the Mekong area and is vital to the security and prosperity of the region. He mentioned relief support for Lao PDR's flood damage and the recommencement of yen loans, and stated that he is convinced the bilateral "Comprehensive Partnership" between Japan and Lao PDR will be strengthened further.
   Prime Minister Thongsing expressed his condolences and sorrow over the earthquake disaster and said he is confident Japan will make a prompt recovery. Additionally, Prime Minister Thongsing expressed deep gratitude for the recommencement of yen loans, and said he feels certain that as a result of the flood damage support the ties between the two countries will further deepen. He also promised to further promote a broad-ranging cooperative relationship, as befits the "Comprehensive Partnership".
   Prime Minister Noda said Japan will continue to promote exchanges in the political sphere, at which point Prime Minister Thongsing invited Prime Minister Noda to the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, which will be hosted by Lao PDR in November this year. Prime Minister Noda thanked him for the invitation and said he would consider it.
   
   
2. Economic cooperation
   Prime Minister Noda said it is his hope that yen loans, which Japan would recommence in response to strong wishes from Lao PDR, will be used effectively in the future. In addition, he noted that Lao PDR is striving to attain the Millennium Development Goals and move away from being one of the least developed among developing countries, and said from here on Japan will undertake support for Lao PDR that is focused on four sectors - infrastructure, agriculture, education and health. Prime Minister Noda said where infrastructure is concerned Japan will place an emphasis on strengthening regional connectivity and will undertake support toward making the Vientiane Urban Development Master Plan a reality, and where agriculture is concerned Japan will extend support focused on public-private partnerships.
   In response, Prime Minister Thongsing expressed his gratitude by explaining that Lao PDR still has huge developmental needs and so the recommencement of yen loans is greatly appreciated. In addition, he repeatedly expressed gratitude for the aid that Japan has extended thus far, which he said is contributing immensely to Lao PDR's nation-building. Furthermore, Prime Minister Thongsing expressed his expectation for the promotion of the cooperative relationship in the future in areas such as infrastructure development.
   
   
3. Economy and culture
   Prime Minister Noda said Japan also wants to contribute to Lao PDR's development via private-sector investment in the mining, electric power, agricultural and other industries, in which Lao PDR possesses potentials, and will utilize official development assistance (ODA) to provide indirect support to investment by Japanese corporations, including small- and medium-sized enterprises. He also expressed hope for further cooperation on the tourism front this year, which is Visit Laos Year, through the operation of charter flights and so on.
   In response, Prime Minister Thongsing said that private-sector investment is vital to Lao PDR's economic development and that he will work to promote further investment from Japan, which is of high quality and is reliable. Furthermore, he said he would strive to promote the tourism sector and exchange on the cultural front in order to advance friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Lao PDR.
   
   
4. Cooperation in the international arena
   Prime Minister Thongsing expressed his appreciation for the support Japan is providing toward the holding of the 9th ASEM Summit in Lao PDR in November this year, including plans to expand the Vientiane International Airport, and promised to continue to cooperate with Japan to ensure the success of the Japan-Mekong Summit in Tokyo in April this year.
   Additionally, Prime Minister Noda noted that North Korea announced plans that day to launch a "satellite", which would be a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. Prime Minister Noda said Japan will work closely with the countries concerned to press earnestly for North Korea to exercise restraint, and that he hopes to obtain Lao PDR's cooperation. Prime Minister Thongsing replied that Lao PDR hopes the countries concerned can discuss the matter and reach a solution that will lead to peace in the international community.