The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lao: ກະຊວງການຕ່າງປະເທດ, French: Ministère des affaires étrangères) is the government ministry responsible for representing Laos to the international community. The ministry oversees the foreign relations of Laos, maintains diplomatic missions in other countries, and provides visa services.[1]
| ກະຊວງການຕ່າງປະເທດ Ministère des affaires étrangères | |
 | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1948 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Laos |
| Headquarters | Vientiane  Laos |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Website | www |
As of 2016[update], the minister of foreign affairs was Saleumxay Kommasith. The ministry's main offices are located in Vientiane.
Organization
editDepartments of the ministry include:[2]
- Personnel and Staff Department
- Asia, Pacific and Africa Department
- Europe and America Department
- ASEAN Department
- Economic Affairs Department
- International Organizations Department
- Law and Treaties Department
- Protocol Department
- Press Department
- Consular Department
- Economic Department
- Overseas Lao Affairs Department
- Institute of Foreign Affairs Department
- Diplomatic Service Bureau Department
- The Office of the National Boundary Committee
e-Visa system
edit
Since July 2019, an e-Visa system has been launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which enables visitors to apply for a Laos tourist visa online.[3][4] Instead of applying through the Laotian Embassy, all that is needed to be done is to complete the online application form and pay with a credit card. After receiving the Visa through email, it should be printed and brought along when traveling to Laos. Tourists can apply for an online visa to Laos at the official website.
List of ministers
edit| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
|---|---|
| ລັດຖະມົນຕີກະຊວງການຕ່າງປະເທດ Ministre des affaires étrangères | |
| | |
 | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Reports to | The Prime Minister |
| Seat | Vientiane |
| Nominator | The Prime Minister |
| Appointer | Bounnhang Vorachit The President |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Inaugural holder | Prince Boun Oum |
| Formation | 1948 |
This is a list of ministers of foreign affairs of Laos:[5]
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) |
Portrait | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Laos (1947–1975) | |||
| 1 | Prince Boun Oum (1912–1980) |
|
1948–1950 |
| 2 | Phoui Sananikone (1903–1983) |
|
1950–1951 |
| 3 | Nhouy Abhay (1909–1963) |
|
1951–1954 |
| (2) | Phoui Sananikone (1903–1983) |
|
1954–1956 |
| 4 | Prince Souvanna Phouma (1901–1984) |
|
1956–1957 |
| (2) | Phoui Sananikone (1903–1983) |
|
1957–1958 |
| 5 | Khamphan Panya (1917–1994) |
|
1958–1959 |
| (2) | Phoui Sananikone (1903–1983) |
|
1959 |
| (5) | Khamphan Panya (1917–1994) |
|
1960 |
| (4) | Prince Souvanna Phouma (1901–1984) |
|
1960 |
| (1) | Prince Boun Oum (1912–1980) |
|
1960–1962 |
| 6 | Quinim Pholsena (1915–1963) |
|
1962–1963 |
| (4) | Prince Souvanna Phouma (1901–1984) |
|
1963–1964 |
| 7 | Pheng Phongsavan (1910–1979) |
|
1964–1965 |
| (4) | Prince Souvanna Phouma (1901–1984) |
|
1965–1974 |
| 8 | Phoumi Vongvichit (1909–1994) |
|
1974–1975 |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975–present) | |||
| 9 | Phoun Sipaseuth (1920–1994) |
|
1975–1993 |
| 10 | Somsavat Lengsavad (b. 1945) |
|
1993–2006 |
| 11 | Thongloun Sisoulith (b. 1945) |
|
2006–2016 |
| 12 | Saleumxay Kommasith (b. 1968) |
|
2016–present |
See also
editExternal links
edit- (in English and Lao) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
References
edit- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, front page
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- ^ Laos launches e-visa service in Vientiane
- ^ Lao E-visa launched for foreigners
- ^ "Foreign ministers L–R". rulers.org. B. Schemmel. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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