In a move to strengthen bilateral ties between Laos and Russia, the Lao Vice President, Pany Yathotou met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Vladivostok, Russia on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
According to President Putin who extended a warm welcome to VP Pany, Laos, and Russia have a longstanding relationship, and President Pany herself has made some remarkable contributions to the development of relations between the two nations.
“We know you as our good, reliable friend. You have visited our country several times and, as chairman of parliament, you have made a significant contribution to the development of bilateral parliamentary relations,” he said.
President Putin also asked Ms. Pany to convey his regards to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is currently in Cuba to attend the G77 Summit.
While thanking the Russian President for extending an invitation to Laos to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum, Ms. Pany said, “Due to the previously agreed state visit of our President to Cuba to attend the G77 summit, he was not able to personally participate in this event.”
Additionally, the Russian Leader commented on the humanitarian ties between Laos and Russia which both nations have been taking steps to grow over the years. He specifically highlighted the influx of Lao students to study medicine at Russian universities as part of this development initiative.
President Putin also spoke about the military collaboration between the two nations, expressing hope for future growth in this area.
“Contacts also continue through military departments. I am sure that all this has good prospects for development,” said the Russian leader.
From 10-13 September, Vice President Pany is attending the Eastern Economic Forum as a senior foreign guest. The event aims to develop economic cooperation between participating countries and encourage foreign investment in the region.
After attending the forum, President Putin left Vladivostok to meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Region.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lao-Vice-President-Pany-Meets-Putin-to-Bolster-Laos-Russia-Bilateral-Tie.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-09-17 08:00:002023-09-14 09:48:16Lao Vice President Meets Putin to Bolster Laos, Russia Bilateral Ties
During a handover ceremony at the closing of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Laos took over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from Indonesia on Thursday, 7 September.
During the ceremony, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone received the gavel of ASEAN Chairmanship from Indonesian President Joko Widodo and pledged to build a more connected and resilient ASEAN during the country’s chairmanship in 2024.
PM Sonexay expressed his sincere congratulations to the Indonesian President as well as the Indonesian government and people on the successful hosting of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits and said that Laos is prepared to cooperate closely with other ASEAN members and partners to ensure the success of its chairmanship.
“Laos is honored to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024,” PM Sonexay said. “We will build upon the achievements made under Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and the success of ASEAN over the past years.”
Under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, PM Sonexay affirmed that Laos will continue to work together with other ASEAN member countries to strengthen the ASEAN community and create opportunities to address geopolitical and geo-economic challenges and changes.
Additionally, PM Sonexay said that Laos will work to expand ASEAN’s external relations, strengthen ASEAN’s centrality and unity, and develop a regional architecture for stability, peace, and development in the ASEAN region during its chairmanship.
“We will continue to enhance connectivities, narrow the development gaps (among ASEAN countries), promote carbon neutrality, and advance digital transformation in the region and economic integration,” Sonexay added.
Although the chairmanship was symbolically transferred, Indonesia will continue to carry out chairmanship responsibilities until Laos officially takes over early next year.
Laos will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024, followed by Malaysia in 2025. The Philippines will take over the chairmanship in 2026 instead of Myanmar, which is currently in political turmoil.
The ASEAN leaders agreed that the chairmanship rotation after the Philippines will follow the alphabetical order of member countries’ names unless otherwise decided.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1-4.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-09-16 09:00:002023-09-11 09:19:05Laos Symbolically Takes Over ASEAN Chairmanship from Indonesia
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet for a working breakfast on Tuesday, 5 September, while attending the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Jakarta.
During their interaction, the three leaders shared information about the economic and social development of their countries and discussed areas of common cooperation and regional and international issues of interest.
The three leaders agreed to work together in a number of areas, including national defense and security, economics and trade, and investment, particularly in supporting each other in regional and international frameworks, such as the ASEAN Cooperation Framework and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
Additionally, the leaders also agreed to promote educational exchanges by providing financial support for students to study in each other’s countries and learn about their cultures and languages, to boost future relations between the three nations.
The leaders also agreed to continue implementing agreements and conventions, hold regular joint mechanism meetings, and research ways to facilitate trilateral trade among the three countries.
On this occasion, PM Sonexay and PM Pham Minh Chinh took the opportunity to congratulate Cambodia on the success of its election, the overwhelming victory of the Cambodian People’s Party, and the election of Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister.
PM Sonexay also invited PM Hun Manet to visit Laos in the future and expressed hope for future support and cooperation from Vietnam and Cambodia during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.
Lao Vice President Meets Putin to Bolster Laos, Russia Bilateral Ties
In a move to strengthen bilateral ties between Laos and Russia, the Lao Vice President, Pany Yathotou met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Vladivostok, Russia on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
According to President Putin who extended a warm welcome to VP Pany, Laos, and Russia have a longstanding relationship, and President Pany herself has made some remarkable contributions to the development of relations between the two nations.
“We know you as our good, reliable friend. You have visited our country several times and, as chairman of parliament, you have made a significant contribution to the development of bilateral parliamentary relations,” he said.
President Putin also asked Ms. Pany to convey his regards to Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is currently in Cuba to attend the G77 Summit.
While thanking the Russian President for extending an invitation to Laos to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum, Ms. Pany said, “Due to the previously agreed state visit of our President to Cuba to attend the G77 summit, he was not able to personally participate in this event.”
Additionally, the Russian Leader commented on the humanitarian ties between Laos and Russia which both nations have been taking steps to grow over the years. He specifically highlighted the influx of Lao students to study medicine at Russian universities as part of this development initiative.
President Putin also spoke about the military collaboration between the two nations, expressing hope for future growth in this area.
“Contacts also continue through military departments. I am sure that all this has good prospects for development,” said the Russian leader.
From 10-13 September, Vice President Pany is attending the Eastern Economic Forum as a senior foreign guest. The event aims to develop economic cooperation between participating countries and encourage foreign investment in the region.
After attending the forum, President Putin left Vladivostok to meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Region.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/13/lao-vice-president-meets-putin-to-bolster-laos-russia-bilateral-ties/
Laos Symbolically Takes Over ASEAN Chairmanship from Indonesia
During a handover ceremony at the closing of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Laos took over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from Indonesia on Thursday, 7 September.
During the ceremony, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone received the gavel of ASEAN Chairmanship from Indonesian President Joko Widodo and pledged to build a more connected and resilient ASEAN during the country’s chairmanship in 2024.
PM Sonexay expressed his sincere congratulations to the Indonesian President as well as the Indonesian government and people on the successful hosting of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits and said that Laos is prepared to cooperate closely with other ASEAN members and partners to ensure the success of its chairmanship.
“Laos is honored to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024,” PM Sonexay said. “We will build upon the achievements made under Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and the success of ASEAN over the past years.”
Under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, PM Sonexay affirmed that Laos will continue to work together with other ASEAN member countries to strengthen the ASEAN community and create opportunities to address geopolitical and geo-economic challenges and changes.
Additionally, PM Sonexay said that Laos will work to expand ASEAN’s external relations, strengthen ASEAN’s centrality and unity, and develop a regional architecture for stability, peace, and development in the ASEAN region during its chairmanship.
“We will continue to enhance connectivities, narrow the development gaps (among ASEAN countries), promote carbon neutrality, and advance digital transformation in the region and economic integration,” Sonexay added.
Although the chairmanship was symbolically transferred, Indonesia will continue to carry out chairmanship responsibilities until Laos officially takes over early next year.
Laos will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024, followed by Malaysia in 2025. The Philippines will take over the chairmanship in 2026 instead of Myanmar, which is currently in political turmoil.
The ASEAN leaders agreed that the chairmanship rotation after the Philippines will follow the alphabetical order of member countries’ names unless otherwise decided.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/08/laos-symbolically-takes-over-asean-chairmanship-from-indonesia/
Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia PMs Meet to Discuss Cooperation Efforts During ASEAN Summit
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet for a working breakfast on Tuesday, 5 September, while attending the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Jakarta.
During their interaction, the three leaders shared information about the economic and social development of their countries and discussed areas of common cooperation and regional and international issues of interest.
The three leaders agreed to work together in a number of areas, including national defense and security, economics and trade, and investment, particularly in supporting each other in regional and international frameworks, such as the ASEAN Cooperation Framework and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
Additionally, the leaders also agreed to promote educational exchanges by providing financial support for students to study in each other’s countries and learn about their cultures and languages, to boost future relations between the three nations.
The leaders also agreed to continue implementing agreements and conventions, hold regular joint mechanism meetings, and research ways to facilitate trilateral trade among the three countries.
On this occasion, PM Sonexay and PM Pham Minh Chinh took the opportunity to congratulate Cambodia on the success of its election, the overwhelming victory of the Cambodian People’s Party, and the election of Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister.
PM Sonexay also invited PM Hun Manet to visit Laos in the future and expressed hope for future support and cooperation from Vietnam and Cambodia during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/06/laos-vietnam-cambodia-pms-meet-to-discuss-cooperation-efforts-during-asean-summit/