Vientiane: The Lao government has honored outgoing Malaysian Ambassador Eddy Iwan Bin Mahmud for his contributions to strengthening the long-standing friendship and expanding cooperation between Laos and Malaysia during his diplomatic mission.According to Lao News Agency, on July 8, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane presented the ambassador with the Friendship Medal on behalf of the Lao government. This recognition highlighted his efforts to deepen bilateral relations across several areas, including politics, trade, investment, education, tourism, agriculture, banking, clean energy, and people-to-people exchanges.The foreign minister highlighted that the relations between the two countries have continued to strengthen over the past six decades. Notably, Malaysia's support for Laos' 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship and the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) has trained more than 2,000 Lao officials since 1991. The ambassador also played a significant role in promoting bu siness cooperation and investment, including the inaugural ASEAN-Malaysia Business Summit held in Laos last year.During separate farewell calls on July 8 and 9, Vice President Vienthong Siphandone and Bounleua Phandanouvong, Head of the Commission for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, praised the ambassador for his role in strengthening cooperation in education, trade, investment, and tourism. They also emphasized his contributions to advancing the friendship between the two countries.They expressed confidence that, after returning to Malaysia, he would continue supporting closer bilateral cooperation and further promote party-to-party and people-to-people exchanges.Ambassador Eddy Iwan expressed gratitude to the Lao Party, government, and people for their strong support throughout his more than three-year posting, describing the experience as both productive and memorable. He pledged to continue serving as a bridge for closer Laos-Malaysia relations by encouraging greater cooperation, investment, and exchanges between the two countries after completing his diplomatic assignment.