Prime Minister Xavier Bettel;
Credit: ME
During his visit to China, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State Xavier Bettel today spoke at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Hainan; this year the conference was dedicated to the theme "Shared Future, Concerted Action, Common Development".
In his speech, the Luxembourg Prime Minister underlined the importance of intensifying the links between Asia and Europe: "The European Union's strategy to link Europe and Asia, based on the principles of financial, environmental and social sustainability, stability and sustainable development, provides the framework for seeking synergies between European and Asian countries." He added that: "This forum provides us with a platform for exchange, where, in a spirit of openness and mutually beneficial cooperation, dialogue and shared responsibility for the challenges that concern us all, we are ready and willing to learn from others."
In an interview with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Lee Nak-yon, the two heads of government gave an update on bilateral issues and the evolution of relations since Xavier Bettel's visit to Korea in July 2018. The Luxembourg Prime Minister commented: "A long friendship has been binding between the people of Korea and Luxembourg since Luxembourg volunteers fought in the Korean War for the freedom of the Korean people."
With his Laotian counterpart, Thongloun Sisoulith, Xavier Bettel discussed the links between Luxembourg and Laos. He pointed out that the opening of a Luxembourg embassy in Laos underlines the intensity of these ties, which are also reflected in Luxembourg's investments in development cooperation. The current programme, which covers the period 2016-2020, provides for investments of €75 million, mainly aimed at helping to eradicate poverty.
The forum also allowed Xavier Bettel to meet many Asian economic decision-makers and thus promote Luxembourg.
