A meeting with a delegation from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was held in the Federation Council.
A delegation of the Federation Council, led by Deputy Speaker Nikolai Zhuravlev, held talks with a delegation from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic headed by Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Member of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development. Senators Vladimir Kozhin, Yelena Afanaseva, Gennady Ordenov, and Andrey Chernyshev also participated in the discussions.
Opening the meeting, Nikolai Zhuravlev underscored the special significance of the visit. “Today, we mark 65 years of diplomatic relations between our states. We highly value the friendly and trusting relations with Laos, which are of a strategic partnership nature.”
The senator also noted important anniversary dates: the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
According to Nikolai Zhuravlev, high-level political dialogue is characterised by an atmosphere of exceptional trust. Annual meetings between the presidents of Russia and Laos confirm this. Inter-parliamentary ties are also developing dynamically, the senator noted.
The discussions were centred on concrete measures to deepen Russian-Laotian cooperation. Russian senators emphasised that our country is committed to expanding trade and economic ties with Laos. In 2024, bilateral trade increased by 65.6 percent, and in early 2025, it grew by a further 86.4 percent. The senators stressed the importance of intensifying collaboration within forums, conferences, and other events.
The parties discussed the need to expand independent payment infrastructure, including increasing the number of Laotian participants in the Bank of Russia’s Financial Messaging System and accepting Mir payment system cards in the ATMs of Laotian credit institutions.
Special attention was paid to the development of cultural ties. Under the Russian Teacher Abroad programme, Russian educators are teaching the Russian language to 400 Laotian students. The construction of a Russian-Laotian school in the country’s capital, Vientiane, was also discussed. “We take pride in the fact that many graduates of Soviet and Russian universities hold responsible positions in Laos. Russia intends to continue assisting in the training of specialists,” added Nikolai Zhuravlev.
Meeting participants confirmed their readiness to further coordinate efforts within international organisations such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Russia welcomes Laos’ interest in developing ties with the EAEU and BRICS, stated the Federation Council’s Deputy Speaker.
Concluding the meeting, Nikolai Zhuravlev expressed confidence that further intensification of dialogue will open new opportunities for deepening cooperation between Russia and Laos.