October 19, 2023
VIENTIANE – President Thongloun Sisoulith and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have vowed to cement their ties and broaden cooperation between Laos and Russia, during bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China.
The two leaders attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, with the theme “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity”, with the forum taking place on October 17-18.
During their talks on October 17, “Both sides affirmed they would continue strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries and promote broader cooperation in areas in which both sides have the potential to bring about tangible benefits for the Lao and Russian peoples,” the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.
The two leaders said they highly valued the growing and consolidating ties and cooperation between Laos and Russia, especially in the fields of politics, national defence and security, economics, trade and investment, education, culture and tourism.
President Thongloun congratulated Russia on successfully hosting the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok in September, when Vice President Pany Yathotou attended the forum in place of President Thongloun, who was on a visit to Cuba.
The Lao leader informed the President of Russia, a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), that Laos will assume the rotating presidency of the 10-member regional bloc next year.
President Thongloun invited President Putin to make an official visit to Laos at a time convenient to him.
The Lao president expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Russian government and people for the assistance and support extended to Laos in past years.