H. E. János Áder, President of the Republic of Hungary paid an official visit to the Lao PDR, on October 24-27, at the invitation of President Bounnhang Vorachith to enhance the relations and cooperation between Laos and Hungary in multiple areas, especially in the field of sustainable development, water management, agriculture and education. President Áder held talks with his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly President Pany Yathotu.
President Bounnhang on behalf of the Lao people expressed his appreciation for providing aids and technical support for those hit by the natural disasters in the recent years. The Hungarian government donated and installed water purification equipments for use by flood-hit people in Attapeu province last year and now Hungary offered additional help. Under the patronage of President Áder, Hungary hosted the third Budapest Water Summit on October 15-17, 2019, where the Lao PDR was represented by H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
Education is an another focus of the cooperation, with 185 Lao nationals currently studying in Hungary in the framework world-wide scholarship program fully financed by the Hungarian government. The Hungarian Presidential delegation also met with the Lao-Hungarian Friendship Association and a number of Hungarian scholarship alumni, who later became successful leaders in Laos.
