VIENTIANE, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Laos has made important steps in regional and international integration, actively participating in international cooperation in the region and worldwide.
These achievements were highlighted at the annual foreign affairs meeting held in Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday, local daily Vientiane Times reported Thursday.
Laos has diplomatic relations with 140 countries and has 39 diplomatic representative offices, 26 of which are embassies, three are permanent representative offices, nine are general consulates, and one is a consulate office.
These diplomatic representative offices have enabled the promotion of cooperative relations between Laos and foreign countries, protected the interests of Laos, sought assistance from the international community, served to attract foreign investment, and enhanced economic ties, said the report.
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the ruling communist party, enjoys relations with 130 political parties worldwide. This is viewed as the successful outcome of the country's foreign policy, which focuses on peace, independence, friendship, cooperation and the expansion of multilateral and multi-directional cooperation through bilateral and multilateral frameworks, said the report.
Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith said 2017 had been filled with professionalism in foreign affairs and there had been many overseas visits by high-ranking leaders and officials at various levels.
