(KPL) Embassy of Russia to the Lao PDR held on Jun 14 a ceremony to celebrate the National Day of the Russia Federation in Vientiane in the presence of Minister of Technologies and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bounleua Phandanouvong, international diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and relevant officials.

Day of Russia is one of the major national holidays in Russia, established in 1992, two years after the Russian Federation was proclaimed a sovereign state. The National Day reflects not only the major democratic and economic transformations that began in Russia thirty-two years ago, but also the entire historical path of the Russian state.

“The National Day unites all our compatriots and provides us with a special occasion to commemorate our long and heroic history,” said Ambassador of the Russian Federation Vladimir Kalinin.

The ambassador noted that the bilateral relations between Laos and Russia have experienced dynamic development in a number of areas.

The two countries hold regular political dialogues with each other as special attention is paid to the security issues and military-technical assistance, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

“It is my pleasure to note that this year has already been marked by a number of the milestones, I would say - historical events, in our relations. In May, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, paid a visit to the Russian Federation and attended the Victory Parade on the Red Square in Moscow as a guest of honour,” said the Russian ambassador.

The contacts between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are being held regularly constituting an important pillar of cooperation between the two countries. Heads of other governmental agencies of both countries meet at different venues from time to time to discuss issues of mutual interest in a constructive manner.

The bilateral interaction in trade and economic spheres continues to develop actively as well though the two countries see considerable potential still remain. Last year the 16th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Lao - Russian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held covering the spheres of new technologies, innovations, power industry, use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, medicine, tourism, air communication, interbank interaction and other spheres.

Special attention in Laos-Russia cooperation is paid to UXO clearance which has been carried out by Russian Mine Clearance Units since 2018 and remains highly significant for Laos in terms of enhancing local livelihoods and rural development.

Russian demining teams have already worked in Bolikhamxay, Xieng Khouang, Khammuan and Vientiane provinces. The 6th stage of the clearance was successfully carried out by the Russian demining team from November last year to March this year and these activities will be continued.

Furthermore, over the past years Russia has been implementing a number of programs in the Lao PDR in the spheres of public health, human resources, professional skills development. A large-scale renovation project of the Lao-Soviet “Mittaphab” Hospital funded by the Russian aid is being implemented at present in cooperation with the UNOPS with the goal to contribute to the development of high-tech health care infrastructure in Laos.

Every year the Russian Government provides 100 scholarships to Lao students and today several hundreds of the Lao Youth are studying in Russia, preparing to become high qualified specialists in the near future.

Last year the Russian Film Festival and the Russian “Culture days” were held in Vientiane which attracted special attention of the Lao public. In September last year the Russian language began to be taught in primary schools in Vientiane fully supplied by the Russian side with Russian textbooks and literature.

“We see prospects to develop our ties in tourism as well bringing Russian tourists especially in the context that 2024 is declared as “The Visit Laos Year” in Laos. Recently we managed to arrange a screening of world-famous film shot is space “The Challenge” and to organize a concert of classic music by Russian musicians which attracted a wider public. And we plan to hold a Russian film festival later this year,” said Ambassador Kalinin.

“All these encouraging developments emphasize the strong ties existing between our two countries. And we hope this year, especially in the context of the Lao PDR ASEAN Chairmanship, will continue to bring many new positive developments for Russia, Laos and the whole region in the interests of peace, wellbeing and prosperity,” added the ambassador.

KPL