The European Union and Laos held on 19 May 2014 in Brussels the fifth round of their
annual Working Group Human Rights and Governance.
The EU delegation was led by Mrs Anette Mandler, acting Director for Human Rights and
Democracy in the European External Action Services. The Lao delegation was led by Mr
Phoukhong Sisoulath, Director General, Department of Treaties and Law, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Lao PDR Representative to the AICHR, Secretary-General to the Lao National
Steering Committee on Human Rights.
The working group opened with a minute's silence in remembrance of the victims of the
airline accident in Lao PDR on 17 May 2014.
The Working Group was conducted in a frank and open atmosphere and allowed the two
sides to exchange views on a wide range of issues. It provided an opportunity to express
concerns about the implementation of international standards in Laos and in the EU. It also
allowed for a constructive exchange of experience about how to translate such standards
into domestic practice.