Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has met with his Indonesian counterpart for his final breakfast in Laos, describing Australia's neighbour as a shining example of how democracy, moderation, tolerance and Islam are "thoroughly compatible".
Speaking over tea and spring rolls in Vientiane on Thursday morning, Mr Turnbull said he looked forward to welcoming President Joko Widodo to Australia later in the year.
"You are an absolute beacon in the way that you demonstrate again and again that democracy moderation, tolerance and Islam are thoroughly compatible," Mr Turnbull added.
He later met with the Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and will head to the East Asia Summit to meet with leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Russia and US on Thursday afternoon.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Counter terrorism and stability has topped the agenda throughout Mr Turnbull's visit to the Laos capital, with leaders stressing the importance of restraint amid ongoing tensions around the South China Sea and the need for greater cooperation on intelligence sharing to combat lone-wolf attacks.
He is expected to leave Vientiane on Thursday evening for the Pacific Islands Forum in Pohnpei - the largest island of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Here leaders of some of the smallest and most vulnerable countries will highlight the need for tackling climate change.
