Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Laos)

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]

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

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
Main article: Visa policy of Laos
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
Incumbent
Saleumxay Kommasith
since 20 April 2016
StyleHis Excellency
Member ofCabinet
Reports toThe Prime Minister
SeatVientiane
NominatorThe Prime Minister
AppointerBounnhang Vorachit
The President
Term lengthNo fixed term
Inaugural holderPrince Boun Oum
Formation1948 (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 Phoune Sipraseuth
(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

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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