Background:
In Lao PDR the European Commission Delegation is dependent to the Delegation in Thailand. That is, its responsibilities are those of all normal activities of European Commission Delegations in third countries except for matters related to Finance and Contracts, which remain the responsibility of Bangkok. The Head of Delegation in Lao PDR is the Head of the Thailand Delegation. A Chargé d’Affaires is based in the Delegation in Vientiane and represents the Head of Delegation in Lao PDR.
The responsibilities of the Delegation of the European Commission to Lao PDR are as follows:
• To represent the European Commission, as appropriate, in Lao PDR,
• To promote bilateral relations in the fields of political, economic, commercial, and development cooperation,
• To monitor and follow up the application of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Lao PDR and any other agreement concluded between the two parties,
• To participate in the preparation and negotiation of agreements between the European Union or the European Commission and the Lao PDR,
• To promote and protect the European Union’s interest and values,
• To pursue the European Union’s policies in all areas,
• To ensure the management of deconcentrated programmes and projects in accordance with the reform of the external assistance management,
• To carry out press and information activities in pursuit of the above.
Tourism related programs:
1. Programme to enhance the capacity and marketing skills of the Lao Association of Travel Agents: This initiative primarily involve strengthening LATA and its member travel agents, as well as funding market research regarding potential European tourism business, the identification of sustainable tourism products and packages and supporting the development of national tourism marketing strategy in cooperation with the Lao National Tourism Administration. Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) will also assist the programme with training and market research inputs.
2. The ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme is designed to complement the protection of several Natural World Heritage Sites within ASEAN and form an important part of ASEAN’s efforts to meet the UN Millennium goals on the environment with respect to reducing biodiversity loss.
3. Luang Namtha Integrated Rural Development Project: This project is aimed at establishing sustainable mechanisms for rural development in Northern Laos, improving the living conditions of the poorest, facilitating a harmonious integration of the target population in a transition towards the market economy and reducing natural resource degradation in mountainous areas. The components of the project are:
• Village Development Small scale village access roads, schools, village water supply, healthcare centres, community houses, markets, literacy courses, opium detoxification, assistance to vulnerable groups
• Agricultural Development Tree nurseries, rice banks, animal banks and demonstrations of contour planting, livestock raising, fish ponds, dry season cultivation
• Irrigation Small and medium scale
• Technical Training Vocational training centre for mechanics, carpenters and weavers, polytechnic centre
• Credit and Business Cooperation with Agricultural Promotion Bank and Lao Women’s Union, savings and credit schemes, enterprise promotion, marketing assistance, tourism.
Contact
The Delegation of the European Commission to Lao PDR
Sihom Commerce Center Building,
Luang Prabang Road
Vientiane, Lao PDR.
P.O. Box: 9325;
Tel. +856 (21) 241134-6
Fax +856 (21) 241125, 241137