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Article by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for Laos' media, "Russia and Laos: 65 Years of Time-Tested Friendship", November 20, 2025

20 November 2025 04:00
1938-20-11-2025

On 7 October 2025, Russia and Laos marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the past decades, our countries and the entire world have undergone big changes. What has remained immutable are the unifying traditions of friendship, mutual assistance, and camaraderie rooted in the years of the national liberation struggle of the Lao people against French colonialists and American aggressors.

For our States, this year is marked by the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and in World War II. A distinguished delegation from the Lao People's Democratic Republic headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, attended the celebrations in Moscow on May 9. A Lao ceremonial regiment marched in formation across Red Square.

For Laos, 2025 is also marked by important national anniversaries -70 years of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (March 22, 1955) and 50 years since the Lao PDR was proclaimed on December 2, 1975.

We highly value our Lao friends' careful attention to the pages of our common past, preservation of historical truth, and curtailing any attempts to distort it. We know that Laos cherishes the memory of the assistance our country provided in establishing its statehood.

The USSR took active part in the 1954 Geneva Conference, which put an end to French colonial rule in Indochina, and acted as a guarantor of Laos's neutrality. Massive material support by the Soviet Union was an important factor in the victory of the Lao patriotic forces during the "undeclared war,". The feat of the Soviet internationalist pilots is immortalized in monuments erected in 2022 - in the capital, Vientiane, and the city of Paek in the Xiengkhouang province.

After the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, our country contributed to ensuring its defence capability and the development of its national economy. Big industrial enterprises, important transport infrastructure facilities, medical institutions, and educational establishments were opened in Laos with the assistance of Soviet specialists. Many of them - such as the Mittaphab Russian-Lao Friendship Hospital - continue to benefit the citizens of the Lao PDR to this day.

Today, Russian-Lao cooperation is dynamically advancing in the spirit and letter of the Treaty on the Foundations of Friendly Relations between Russia and the Lao PDR of March 9, 1994, and the Declaration on bilateral strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific Region of October 13, 2011.

The leaders of our countries outline the priorities for joint work during their intensive and trust-based dialogue. On July 31, 2025, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin had talks with President of the Lao PDR, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Thongloun Sisoulith during his official visit to Russia. In 2024, two meetings of the heads of state took place - on May 9 in Moscow and on October 24 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.

It is gratifying that the Lao side regularly participates in the discussions at the Eastern Economic Forums. At the EEF 2025, Vladimir Putin had a conversation with Prime Minister of the Lao PDR Sonexay Siphandone, and at the EEF 2023 - with Vice President of the Lao PDR Pany Yathotou. This year, the first Russian-Lao business forum was held at the Vladivostok venue.

Ties are strengthening along the lines of governments, parliaments, leading political parties, and public organisations. Interaction in the fields of defence and security, as well as law enforcement, is expanding. A substantive exchange of views is conducted between the foreign ministries. In June 2025, we hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, in Moscow. Ministerial meetings are held regularly on the sidelines of ASEAN events.

Our countries' approaches to a wide range of international issues overlap or are very close. We advocate unconditional observance of the UN Charter principles in their entirety and interconnectedness. We are firmly committed to the formation of a just multipolar world order that reflects cultural and civilisational diversity and the right of peoples to determine their own destiny. We are categorically opposed to neo-colonial practices, unilateral coercive measures, threats of the use of force, and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

We welcome Laos's independent foreign policy, including its balanced position in the context of the Ukrainian crisis. Obviously, a lasting settlement of the conflict is only possible through eliminating its root causes. It is necessary to reliably guarantee Russia's security, neutralise the threats emanating from the aggressive expansion of NATO, and stop attempts to draw Ukraine into this militaristic alliance. It is no less important to ensure that the rights of Russian and Russian-speaking people in the territories controlled by the Kiev regime are respected.

I would like to make special mention of the constructive policy of our Lao friends aimed at strengthening the ASEAN-centred architecture of regional security and cooperation, and their consistent efforts to advance Russia's dialogue partnership with the Association. This was fully demonstrated by Vientiane's successful chairmanship of ASEAN for 2024.

We appreciate the desire of our Lao partners to establish contacts with the leading associations of the Global Majority, including BRICS and the SCO, to foster relations with the EAEU, and to participate in the processes of creating the Greater Eurasian Partnership and the Eurasian security architecture. This year, at the SCO summit in Tianjin on August 31 - September 1, the Council of Heads of Member States of the organisation unanimously voted to grant Laos partner status, which will allow Vientiane to become more closely involved in the diverse and productive cooperation in this format.

We attach great importance to the development of Russian-Lao practical cooperation, which continues to grow. At the same time, we should admit that the absolute figures are still quite modest and do not match the existing potential. The primary tasks in this area are the creation of new effective transport and logistics routes, the implementation of large joint investment projects, primarily in energy, mineral resource exploration and mining, as well as support for small and medium-sized businesses. The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation plays a significant role in these matters.

We see good prospects for constructing a small capacity nuclear power plant in the Lao PDR with the participation of the Rosatom State Corporation. Russian companies such as Rusal, RusHydro, and GAZ Group are also interested in working with Laos. The Fesco transport group organises container shipping between Russia and Laos through Vietnamese ports. Rail passenger and freight services between Vladivostok and Vientiane through the territory of China are being considered. Initiatives involving information and communication technologies and space exploration are also on the agenda.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of qualified personnel for the successful socio-economic development of any country. Proceeding from this, we are ready to continue assisting in professional training of specialists for Laos. Within the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation, 100 scholarships are allocated annually for Lao students to enrol in Russian universities. In this respect, Laos ranks third among ASEAN countries. Work has begun on the creation of the first Russian-Lao school in Vientiane with a full cycle of training under a joint curriculum.

It is gratifying that the multifaceted art of Russia enjoys wide popularity in Laos. In 2023 and 2024, residents and guests of Vientiane warmly welcomed Russian film festivals and concerts by music and dance groups. In turn, Russia has a sincere affection for the unique and rich Lao culture. Fruitful activities of the Russia-Laos Friendship Society contribute to the growth of mutual interest in cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Another dimension of our bilateral relations is the interaction of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation with the cities and provinces of Laos. Last year, the Days of Moscow in Vientiane and the Days of Vientiane in Moscow were successfully held. Twinning agreements are being implemented between St. Petersburg and Vientiane, and between Tobolsk and Luang Prabang.

A dialogue is also being built along the lines of religious organisations. We are grateful to the Vientiane authorities for permission to open the first parish of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country. Delegations from the Lao PDR traditionally make a significant contribution to the work of international Buddhist forums held in our country.

It is symbolic that in this important anniversary year, the leadership of the Lao PDR decided to present the Russian Federation with a gift of two elephants. This animal is especially revered in Lao culture, personifying peace, prosperity, and wisdom. We view such a generous gesture as a visible testament to the strong friendship between our peoples.

In the current environment, Russia and Laos face new challenges and opportunities. The strengthening strategic partnership between our countries allows us to look to the future with hope and optimism. The 65 years of cooperation is evidence that we can solve the most complex issues for the benefit of our countries and peoples, in the interests of ensuring universal peace and prosperity.