VO Hundreds of senior officials mark the 49th anniversary of Asean founding
INTRO: Hundreds of senior officials gathered at a walk to commemorate the 49th Anniversary of Founding of Asean and 19th Anniversary of Lao PDR's Accession to Asean in Vientiane early Saturday.
STORY: The mini-walk event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, along with other ministers, vice ministers, the Secretary-General of Asean Mr Le Luong Minh, ambassadors, and resident representatives of international organisations in the Lao PDR.
Mr Saleumxay said that August 8, Asean Day, is a special day for all peoples of Asean member states and that this year's celebrations are particularly special because it is taking place in the first year of the Asean Community.
He also said that for the Lao PDR this year not only marks the 19th Anniversary of the Lao PDR's Accession to Asean but also bears great significance to the country as it has also assumed the Asean Chairmanship.
Saturday's event was organised following the successful conclusion of the 49th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings held from July 23-26 in 2016 and the 48th Asean Economic Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane on August 3-6 in 2016.
The walk was along Lane Xang Avenue which began in Patuxay Park and continued to the Presidential Office and returning to the Patuxay Park again.
