Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane (R) shake hands with  U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Heather Variava in Vientiane on July 02

(KPL) U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Heather Variava, hosted a reception in Vientiane on July 2 to commemorate the 249th anniversary of the United States’ independence and the 70th anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the United States and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

The reception was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, other members of the Lao government, foreign diplomats, representatives of international organizations, members of the American community in Laos, and media representatives. 

“We are thrilled to be celebrating the 249th birthday of the United States of America—our Independence Day,” Ambassador Variava said. “This evening is especially meaningful as we also mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Laos.”

She underscored the importance of people-to-people ties, noting the presence of a vibrant Lao-American community in the United States. “This community is eager to strengthen its connection with Laos. Together, we can build a strong partnership—especially by supporting youth, who represent the future of both our countries.”

Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 10, 1955, Laos and the United States have worked together to maintain and strengthen bilateral ties.

“Although our two nations have experienced difficult periods in history, we have managed to nurture our relationship and elevate it to a Comprehensive Partnership,” he said. This partnership was officially launched during the historic state visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to the Lao PDR in 2016.

Since then, the two countries have continued to deepen cooperation through high-level exchanges and collaboration across key sectors including education, health, trade, investment, law enforcement, unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, and the joint Lao-U.S. mission to account for missing American service members (MIA).

Minister Thongsavanh also emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation. “The Lao PDR and the United States have worked closely within regional and global platforms such as the United Nations, ASEAN, and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership.”

The minister recalled the Lao PDR’s 2016 ASEAN Chairmanship, during which President Choummaly Sayasone led ASEAN leaders to attend the ASEAN-U.S. Special Leaders’ Summit in Sunnylands, California—the first such summit held in the U.S.—which significantly enhanced U.S.-ASEAN relations.

As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations from 2018 to 2021, Laos played a key role in issuing key ASEAN-U.S. outcome documents.

“I am confident that through our continued collaboration, we will further strengthen our bilateral and multilateral relations, based on mutual respect and shared interests, for the benefit of both our nations,” Minister Thongsavanh concluded.

KPL