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The Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of Belarus have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
(KPL) The Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of Belarus have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
At the invitation of Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Mr. Maxim Rusenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, paid an official visit to Laos from July 16–18, 2025, marking his first official trip to the country.
On July 17, the two foreign ministers held official talks in Vientiane, exchanging views on enhancing cooperation between the two nations. Minister Thongsavanh warmly welcomed his Belarusian counterpart, emphasizing the importance of the visit in deepening diplomatic ties and strengthening cooperation, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks.
The ministers praised the ongoing collaboration between Laos and Belarus since establishing diplomatic relations on February 7, 1994. They highlighted cooperation in various areas including politics, national security, defense, trade, finance, education, culture, tourism, health, energy, and mining. Both sides also acknowledged the significance of continued support in regional and international forums, particularly within the United Nations.
Notable recent engagements include the meeting between President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos and President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus during the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, which underscored high-level diplomatic momentum.
During the talks, both ministers agreed to:
Promote trade and investment, especially in mutually beneficial sectors;
Strengthen people-to-people ties through tourism and education;
Jointly implement past agreements and signed documents;
Expand cooperation in energy, mining, health, and cultural exchanges.
Following the meeting, the two ministers signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, aimed at facilitating travel and boosting connectivity between the peoples of both nations.
Minister Rusenko expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and reaffirmed Belarus’s commitment to further strengthening friendly relations with Laos. He also extended an invitation to President Thongloun Sisoulith to make an official state visit to Belarus at a mutually convenient time.
The visit concluded with a reception hosted by Minister Thongsavanh in honor of his Belarusian counterpart and delegation.
KPL
