MEDIA RELEASE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY VIENTIANE 1 July 2014 Australian Foreign Minister to visit Lao PDR Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Julie Bishop MP, will seek to add further depth to Australia’s already close relationship with the Lao PDR on her first official visit to the country later this week. On her 4-5 July visit, Foreign Minister Bishop will seek to continue the momentum of growing regional and global cooperation and high-level exchanges between the Lao PDR and Australia over recent years. Ms Bishop will also underline Australia’s commitment to continue to support the Lao PDR’s economic development. Australia remains one of the Lao PDR’s major development partners, with an annual program of over AUD $60 million (LAK440 billion) in education, human resource development, rural development, UXO clearance and victim support, trade and business reform, natural resource management and market-focused agricultural research. The Foreign Minister will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues with Prime Minister, H.E. Mr Thongsing Thammavong, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Dr Thongloun Sisoulith. She will discuss parliamentary cooperation and exchanges with National Assembly President, H.E. Mrs Pany Yathortou, and launch a major new A$86 million (LAK 631 billion) Australian initiative in basic education together with Minister of Education and Sports, H.E. Dr Phankham Viphavanh. Foreign Minister Bishop will discuss opportunities to strengthen two-way trade and investment in meetings with Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, and with Australian business representatives. Ms Bishop will also meet senior Lao women leaders to discuss Australian support to promote women’s economic empowerment and leadership, including the status of gender parity as a national development priority in the next National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP). Australia and the Lao PDR celebrated the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2012 - the Lao PDR’s longest unbroken diplomatic relationship at Ambassador level. More than 1,000 Lao graduates have studied in Australia under Australian Government scholarships. Over 200 Lao students from disadvantaged backgrounds have received Australian scholarships to obtain professional qualifications from the National University of Laos. Media Enquiries: Mingngakham Pangnasak, Senior Media and Communications Officer, Australian Embassy, Phone: (021) 353 800 ext. 125 .