Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov completes his visit to Laos

On July 18, 2025 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov, continued his visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

On that day, the Minister met with the President of the National Assembly of Laos, Saysomphone Phomvihane. During the negotiations, the main focus was on the development of interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The Minister conveyed greetings from the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, Igor Sergeenko, to his Laotian counterpart and confirmed the invitation to pay an official visit to Belarus. Saysomphone Phomvihane expressed his intention to visit Minsk in the near future, emphasising the importance of intensifying contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries.

During the discussion, the parties noted the traditionally friendly nature of political relations between Belarus and Laos, expressing confidence in the need to transform them into specific economic projects. Minister Ryzhenkov particularly emphasised the role of interparliamentary cooperation as a platform uniting all areas of interaction, from economics and education to humanitarian initiatives. He recalled I.Sergeenko's visit to Laos in 2024, as well as the creation of parliamentary friendship groups in both countries, calling these steps the basis for further work.

Mutual satisfaction was expressed with the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on the waiver of visas for holders of national passports, which creates favourable conditions for the intensification of interpersonal and business contacts.

The Chairman of the Lao Parliament separately noted the significant untapped potential in bilateral relations, especially in the areas of economy, education and food security. Laos showed particular interest in Belarus' experience in developing the dairy industry, referring to current efforts to promote the consumption of dairy products among the population.

The parties confirmed their readiness to expand cooperation within international organisations, including the ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The possibilities for cooperation between the electoral commissions of the two countries were also discussed.

On the same day, M.Ryzhenkov took part in the opening of the Belarusian-Lao Business Forum.

The event, which brought together more than 50 representatives of business circles and government agencies of the two countries, was organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Belarus in conjunction with the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Laos. Laos was officially represented at the forum by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Laos, Malaythong Kommasith.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry emphasised that Belarus and Laos are consistently deepening their mutually beneficial friendly relations, with the aim of increasing the well-being of the citizens of both countries.

The minister noted the importance of introducing new forms and methods of joint work in promoting trade and economic ties, including industrial cooperation for the production of innovative products. The importance of strengthening the technological sovereignty of states was also emphasised, including through the exchange of modern developments in the fields of industrial production, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Belarus, in turn, is interested in supplies from Laos of textiles, knitwear, tropical vegetables and fruits, as well as nuts.

In the context of discussing the activation of the role of the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries, M.Ryzhenkov invited representatives of Lao business to visit Belarus.

During the forum and following its conclusion, representatives of Belarusian and Laotian companies held talks on cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and the supply of Belarusian equipment, including with the involvement of credit resources from Belarusian banks.

On the sidelines of the forum, a number of meetings were also held between Belarusian representatives and relevant ministries and agencies of Laos.

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