Toast by President S R Nathan at the State Dinner hosted for HE Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Your Excellency President Choummaly Sayasone and
Madame Keosaychay Sayasone
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

        It gives me great pleasure to welcome Your Excellencies and your distinguished delegation on this historical first State Visit by a Lao President to Singapore.  Your visit reaffirms the growing friendship between our two countries.  I recall with much fondness Your Excellency’s private visit in 2006 and my State Visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2003.  I was then touched by the warm and most gracious hospitality accorded by the Government and people of Laos.

        Your Excellency's visit has given us the chance to strengthen the bonds that bind our two countries and our two peoples, and also pave the way for further deepening of Singapore-Lao relations in the years ahead.  Singapore looks forward to working closely with Laos to strengthen both our ASEAN and bilateral linkages, and to contribute towards the development of a peaceful environment in which we can grow and prosper.

        May I invite all present to rise and join me in a toast:

        • To the good health and success of President Choummaly Sayasone and
          Madame Keosaychay Sayasone;
        • To the peace and prosperity of Laos; and
        • To the friendship between Laos and Singapore.