We still have much to do before we have a fully functioning Embassy. We sold our former Embassy building some years ago and, while we still own the Ambassador’s Residence, it has been leased by the Australian Government for their Ambassador for many years. So we are starting from scratch. My deputy, Katy Higginson, arrived in Vientiane in August and has done an incredible job blazing the trail on her own, working from a serviced apartment initially and moving to our current arrangement in a temporary office. We have been reinforced by a small team from other Embassies in the region to help us prepare for the Asia Europe summit in Vientiane at the beginning of November (a further reason for getting the Embassy started as quickly as possible) where the UK will have a senior delegation led by the Foreign Secretary. Whilst he is here, the Foreign Secretary will also open our new Embassy office though it will be a few more weeks before the renovation is complete.
Why are we doing all this? Well, we are clear that the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) play a vital role in security and prosperity in the fast emerging East Asian hemisphere. The UK needs to engage seriously because our national interests are impacted by the changes in this region and we want to work with partners here to make the most of the opportunities and help to mitigate the threats. Opening our Embassy in Laos (until now the only ASEAN member without a permanent UK presence) along with the broader shift of our resources into the Asia region, means we are better placed to do this. We will also be able to develop and enhance our bilateral relationship with Laos at an exciting time as Laos prepares for World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 and as its economy expands.
In the coming weeks, we will build up our Embassy team and build our relationships in Laos across the full spectrum of our work. It is a big challenge but one we are working hard to meet.