President of Laos invites Ethiopian leaders for state visit

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2024 (FBC) – The Ethiopian Ambassador to Japan, Daba Debele, formally submitted his letter of credence this week to the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, thereby being accredited as a non-resident Ambassador of Ethiopia to the LPDR.

Following the presentation of his letter of credence, Ambassador Daba engaged in a discussion with President Thongloun Sisoulith.

On this occasion, President Thongloun Sisoulith conveyed his warmest regards to Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He also commended Ethiopia’s robust economic growth and its pivotal role in maintaining peace and security on the African continent.

President Sisoulith expressed his country’s eagerness to collaborate with Ethiopia in various areas in the future, such as agriculture, hydroelectricity generation, trade, tourism, and people-to-people relations.

Ambassador Daba Debele highlighted Ethiopia’s rich historical heritage and numerous tourism destinations, noting that additional tourist attractions are currently under development. He emphasized that Ethiopia has consistently ranked among the top countries in Africa for attracting foreign direct investment over the past six years, thanks to its homegrown economic reform policy and various macroeconomic reforms.

Additionally, Ambassador Daba pointed out that Ethiopia’s annual GDP growth has averaged more than 7 percent in the past few years.

Ambassador Daba further highlighted the efforts made in addressing climate change as well as the significant accomplishments of the Green Legacy initiative.

He expressed his government’s interest in collaborating with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at multilateral forums and in sectors such as agriculture, trade and tourism sectors. Additionally, Ambassador Daba requested President Thongloun Sisoulith to open LPDR’s embassy in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

In the meantime, President Thongloun Sisoulith extended his warmest wishes to Ambassador Daba Debele during his tenure as a non-resident Ambassador of Ethiopia to LPDR and expressed his government’s commitment to working closely in the aforementioned areas of cooperation.

President Thongloun Sisoulith also stated that his government would consider opening an embassy in Ethiopia in the future, emphasizing that Ethiopia would be the first country in Africa to receive such a gesture.

He requested Ambassador Daba to extend an invitation to President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to visit his country.

In response, Ambassador Daba Debele thanked President Thongloun Sisoulith for his hospitality and expressed that he would convey the invitation to President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.