President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed President Sisoulith. National anthems were played, and the honour guard marched past the heads of state to a military march. Members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to the Lao President, while members of the Lao delegation were introduced to President Aliyev. 
Later that day, President Sisoulith visited Victory Park and laid a wreath at the Victory Monument. The visit underscored more than 30 years of diplomatic relations.
The main outcome of the talks was the signing of bilateral documents: A Joint Statement by Azerbaijan and Laos; an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of officials passports; and a memorandum on agricultural cooperation. These instruments created a legal basis for expanding interaction.
The economic dimension of the visit advanced at the Azerbaijan–Laos Business Forum in Baku, which focused on investment opportunities and broader business cooperation. 

Anar Akhundov, Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, noted that private companies account for more than half of investment in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector. 
The state offers exporters compensation of up to 70% of transport and logistics costs, concessional financing, and tax incentives. For foreign investors, including those from Laos, the entry point is the Alat Free Economic Zone, which permits 100% foreign ownership and free repatriation of profits.
The forum placed particular emphasis on the logistics link between the two regions. Landlocked Laos intends to use the Laos–China Railway and the planned Vientiane–Vung Ang Railway to the Vietnamese port of Vung Ang.

Manotong Vongsay stated that connecting Baku’s ports to the Southeast Asian market through regional networks and the Laos–China Railway would open new opportunities for trade and logistics. 
Thanongsin Kanlagna added that Laos provides access to ASEAN (680 million people), while Azerbaijan offers access to the Caucasus, Türkiye, Central Asia, and Europe. He proposed creating a joint business council or working group.
Education and human capital received separate attention during the talks. President Aliyev recalled that more than 2,000 Lao citizens had studied in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period and proposed reviving this tradition through scholarships. 
President Sisoulith supported the idea and promised to send relevant ministers to develop cooperation in investment, energy, education, and other fields. 
On mine contamination, President Aliyev reported that in the six years since the end of the Second Karabakh War, more than 400 Azerbaijanis had been killed or severely injured by mines, and he expressed readiness to share experience and technologies.
In this context, the role of the Kalradia Student Think Tank becomes especially significant. Throughout its work, the Centre has made a positive contribution to Laos–Azerbaijan relations. Uniting students, researchers, and experts, it studies international relations impartially and develops objective analysis of global processes. Its “Azerbaijan–Laos Dialogue” club is an informal student, expert, and civic platform for direct dialogue. 

It brings together political scientists, cultural figures, entrepreneurs, and journalists from both countries to strengthen trust and carry out joint educational projects. The club systematically monitors media coverage of the Azerbaijan–Laos agenda, prepares analytical reviews on historical milestones of cooperation, and cooperates with the Azerbaijan–Laos Friendship Society.
On this occasion, the club served as a mediating platform for contacts between the two governments ahead of the high-level meeting in Baku. 
The Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the Russian Federation recognized the Centre and the club for their invaluable contribution to educational diplomacy and humanitarian ties with Azerbaijan, stressing that they serve as a dynamic bridge of trust and mutual understanding. 
Today, as official diplomatic efforts are reinforced by concrete economic and humanitarian initiatives, kalradia.ru continues its mission: to promote objective dialogue, develop horizontal ties between young people and experts in both countries, and contribute practically to strengthening the partnership between Azerbaijan and Laos.

Authors: Mr. Vankham Phetphaiwan and Mr. Mammadzada Kamandar Zahid oglu, (experts at the Kalradia Student Think Tank).