VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Laos-Russia relations during talks held on the sidelines of the Russia-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kazan.
The meeting took place as Prime Minister Sonexay concluded his first official visit to Russia since taking office. The visit, made at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, took place from June 14-17 and aimed to deepen the longstanding ties and expand cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Kremlin, President Putin said Russia highly valued its relations with Laos, which have consistently been based on friendship, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests.
The Russian leader thanked Laos for its support in developing cooperation between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, noting that 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of relations between Russia and the regional bloc.
President Putin also thanked President Thongloun Sisoulith for attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in May and for sending a unit of the Lao People’s Army to participate in a parade last year marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
“We highly value our relations with Laos, which have always been based on friendship, mutual respect and a balance of each other’s interests,” President Putin was quoted as saying, according to the Kremlin.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in areas including energy, industry, agriculture, mining, the digital economy, banking, transport, tourism, and education.
President Putin described the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a significant achievement. He said the agreement provides the legal basis for building a small nuclear power plant based on Russian technology in Laos.
He also observed that Laos and Russia maintain close cooperation at the United Nations and other international forums and share similar views on most regional and global issues.
Prime Minister Sonexay congratulated Russia on successfully hosting the summit, saying it reflected Russia’s active engagement in regional and international affairs.
Laos attaches great importance to its consistent policy of cooperation with Russia and values the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, he said.
Prime Minister Sonexay also held talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, when the two premiers said they highly valued their steadily expanding cooperation based on mutual trust and support.
Dr Sonexay thanked the Russian government and people for their continuing assistance, particularly in human resource development through annual scholarships and training opportunities for Lao nationals, including government officials.
He also welcomed cooperation between agencies of both countries in building the Laos-Russia Friendship School in Vientiane, which is expected to be completed soon. At the close of his visit, Prime Minister Sonexay addressed a Laos-Russia business forum aimed at promoting trade and investment cooperation.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Sonexay also presided over the handover of two elephants to the Kazan Zoo.
The elephants were a gift from President Thongloun and the people of Laos to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Russia and Russia Day on June 12. - Vientiane Times/ANN
