VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Laos and Russia agreed to begin preliminary studies to set up a nuclear power plant in Laos, with the initial phase aimed at identifying potential locations for development and assessing how a future plant integrates into Laos’ energy system.
The decision came on 15 June, during the meeting between Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow, where both countries agreed on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The agreement forms part of broader efforts to support joint projects in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and high-tech sectors.
During the meeting, Mishustin described Laos as one of Russia’s key partners in Southeast Asia and emphasized the need to expand bilateral trade and investment, noting that current trade volumes do not yet reflect the economic potential of both countries.
Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said trade between the two countries nearly doubled last year, reaching almost USD 50 million. He added that Russia wants to sell more food products, fertilizers, and machinery to Laos, while buying more Lao textiles, natural rubber, and coffee.
He said Russia was ready to share expertise in the digital economy, autonomous electronic systems, and artificial intelligence as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic and technological ties.
Mishustin also encouraged Laos to make greater use of Russian digital trading platforms to access markets in Russia and the wider Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a regional economic bloc comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan with a combined market of more than 180 million consumers.
Beyond that, Mishustin noted that more than 8,000 Lao specialists have been trained in Russia and welcomed the recent increase in tourism exchanges, with visits between the two countries rising by one and a half times last year.
In the coming days, Laos and Russia plan to further deepen cooperation through the Russia-ASEAN meeting in Kazan from 17 to 19 June.
Regional leaders, including Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, representatives from the other 10 ASEAN nations, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the summit. Discussions will focus on economic and business cooperation and strengthening the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership. -- Laotian Times
