Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus E.Shestakov to pay a visit to Laos

On March 13-15, 2024 a delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Evgeny Shestakov, visited Vientiane, Laos.

During the visit, the 3rd round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and Laos took place.

At the consultations, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus discussed with the head of the Lao delegation, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Bounleua Phandanouvong, the matters of intensifying bilateral cooperation and promising areas of interaction in various spheres.

The special attention was paid to regional processes, particularly in the context of Laos' chairmanship in ASEAN in 2024. Current issues of the international agenda were discussed. Active Belarus-Laos interaction in international organizations was underlined.

The possibilities of expanding legal framework of bilateral relations were discussed.

During the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Saleumxay Kommasith, the issues of bilateral relations and mutual support in international organizations were discussed.

E.Shestakov congratulated the Lao Side with the important role of maintaining regional stability in Southeast Asia due to the country's chairmanship in ASEAN in 2024 and wished success in fulfilling this responsible mission.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus discussed with the Head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, a wide range of issues regarding the bilateral relations between the two countries, including interparty cooperation.

The meetings of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus with the Minister of Planning and Investment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Khamchen Vongphosy, and the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Bountheung Douangsavanh, were focused on cooperation in trade and production, as well as on priority areas of sectoral cooperation.

The officials welcomed active growth of trade turnover in 2023. They considered approaches on expanding cooperation in the heavy and light industries. An agreement was reached to continue cooperation within the framework of the upcoming meeting of the Belarus-Laos Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in 2024.

At the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus proceeded to discuss ways to intensify trade and economic cooperation with business representatives. The plans for 2024 were outlined, in particular, the exchange of delegations of enterprises of the two countries. Presentations on the trade and economic potential of Belarus in various areas were organized.

E.Shestakov considered the plans to implement joint projects in the cultural and educational spheres with the members of the Laos-Belarus Friendship Society. The important role of "people's diplomacy" in the development of bilateral relations was noted.

The events in Vientiane are taking place in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Laos.