Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 26 – Cambodian Delegate Minister Jean François Tan affirmed that granting USD 1 million to Lao PDR to host the 2024 ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings is a contribution, not assistance.

Delegate Minister Jean François Tan spoke during the press conference on Tuesday (Mar. 26) after Samdech Thipadei concluded his visit to Lao PDR.

"During the joint press conference in Vientiane, Samdech Thipadei used the term of contributed USD 1 million (not financial assistance) to support Laos in hosting the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in the future," the delegate minister underscored.

Minister Jean François Tan mentioned that such action is a contribution under the spirit of good neighbourliness. It reflected Cambodia's slogan, "Cambodia - a small country with a big heart".

On 25 March 2024, Cambodia announced to grant Lao PDR USD 1 million to support Laos as the rotating chair of the 2024 ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. Lao PDR will officially assume the ASEAN chairmanship from 1 January 2024.
=FRESH NEWS