**Russia and Laos Strengthen Bilateral Ties at ASEAN Meeting**
**Manila, Philippines** – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Laotian counterpart, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, emphasized the robust relationship between their countries during a meeting on July 25, 2023, at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila. This gathering, which runs from July 21 to 24, marks Russia's participation as a strategic partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During their discussions, Lavrov acknowledged the ongoing development of cooperation between Russia and Laos, highlighting the importance of the Lao Republic in fostering the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership. He stated, “We appreciate the role the Lao Republic is playing in promoting the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership, and highly appreciate the very efficient development of our bilateral relations.”
The meeting follows significant interactions between the two nations, including Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith's attendance at Russia's Victory Day celebrations in May and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's participation in the recent Russia-ASEAN Summit held in Kazan. Lavrov characterized the Kazan summit as a success and noted the regularity of high-level meetings, which he believes are essential for addressing new tasks set by the leaders of both countries.
Thongsavanh echoed Lavrov's sentiments, commending the “high level” of contacts between the leadership of Russia and Laos. He also referred to the Kazan summit as a successful event, reinforcing the collaborative spirit shared between the two nations.
A significant outcome of the summit was the signing of a peaceful nuclear energy cooperation agreement between Russia and Laos. This agreement establishes a legal framework for the construction of a Russian-designed small nuclear power plant in Laos, a development President Vladimir Putin has highlighted as a key aspect of their growing partnership.
The ongoing ASEAN ministerial meetings in Manila are expected to focus on the implementation of agreements reached during the Kazan summit, including a new five-year action plan that encompasses political, security, economic, and humanitarian cooperation. Lavrov is anticipated to engage in a series of bilateral meetings with other regional counterparts during the event.
As the ASEAN meeting progresses, discussions surrounding the geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia and the role of external partners like Russia will likely remain at the forefront. The potential for a meeting between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also being explored, as confirmed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The strengthening of ties between Russia and Laos reflects a broader trend of increasing collaboration among nations within the ASEAN framework, as they seek to enhance their strategic partnerships and address regional challenges collectively.