Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Laos)

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ກະ​ຊວງ​ການ​ຕ່າງ​ປະ​ເທດ
Ministère des affaires étrangères
Emblem of Laos.svg
Ministry overview
Formed1948; 73 years ago (1948)
JurisdictionGovernment of Laos
HeadquartersVientiane  Laos
Minister responsible
Websitewww.mofa.gov.la

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lao: ກະ​ຊວງ​ການ​ຕ່າງ​ປະ​ເທດ, 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]

As of 2016 the Minister of Foreign Affairs was Saleumxay Kommasith. The Ministry's main offices are located in Vientiane.

Organization[]

Departments 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[]

The official Lao e-Visa logo

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[]

Minister of Foreign Affairs
ລັດຖະມົນຕີກະຊວງການຕ່າງປະເທດ
Ministre des affaires étrangères
Emblem of Laos.svg
Saleumxay Kommasith May 2017 (34969105705) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Saleumxay Kommasith

since 20 April 2016
StyleHis Excellency
Member of
Reports toThe Prime Minister
SeatVientiane
NominatorThe Prime Minister
AppointerBounnhang Vorachit
The President
Term lengthNo fixed term
Inaugural holderPrince Boun Oum
Formation1948; 73 years ago (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)
Boun Oum 1971.jpg 1948–1950
2 Phoui Sananikone
(1903–1983)
No image.png 1950–1951
3
(1909–1963)
No image.png 1951–1954
(2) Phoui Sananikone
(1903–1983)
No image.png 1954–1956
4 Prince Souvanna Phouma
(1901–1984)
President John F. Kennedy with Prime Minister of Laos, Prince Souvanna Phouma (01) (cropped).jpg 1956–1957
(2) Phoui Sananikone
(1903–1983)
No image.png 1957–1958
5
(1917–1994)
Ford A1209 NLGRF photo contact sheet (1974-10-04)(Gerald Ford Library).jpg 1958–1959
(2) Phoui Sananikone
(1903–1983)
No image.png 1959
(5)
(1917–1994)
Ford A1209 NLGRF photo contact sheet (1974-10-04)(Gerald Ford Library).jpg 1960
(4) Prince Souvanna Phouma
(1901–1984)
President John F. Kennedy with Prime Minister of Laos, Prince Souvanna Phouma (01) (cropped).jpg 1960
(1) Prince Boun Oum
(1912–1980)
Boun Oum 1971.jpg 1960–1962
6 Quinim Pholsena
(1915–1963)
No image.png 1962–1963
(4) Prince Souvanna Phouma
(1901–1984)
President John F. Kennedy with Prime Minister of Laos, Prince Souvanna Phouma (01) (cropped).jpg 1963–1964
7
(1910–1979)
No image.png 1964–1965
(4) Prince Souvanna Phouma
(1901–1984)
President John F. Kennedy with Prime Minister of Laos, Prince Souvanna Phouma (01) (cropped).jpg 1965–1974
8 Phoumi Vongvichit
(1909–1994)
No image.png 1974–1975
Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975–present)
9 Phoune Sipraseuth
(1920–1994)
No image.png 1975–1993
10 Somsavat Lengsavad
(b. 1945)
Somsavat.JPG 1993–2006
11 Thongloun Sisoulith
(b. 1945)
Thongloun Sisoulith with Obamas cropped.jpg 2006–2016
12 Saleumxay Kommasith
(b. 1968)
Saleumxay Kommasith May 2017 (34969105705) (cropped).jpg 2016–present

See also[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, front page
  2. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. ^ Laos launches e-visa service in Vientiane
  4. ^ Lao E-visa launched for foreigners
  5. ^ "Foreign ministers L–R". rulers.org. B. Schemmel. Retrieved October 14, 2014.


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