Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council headed Russia’s delegation at the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Nikolai Zhuravlev is currently on a working visit in Vientiane, heading a delegation of the Russian Federation at the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR).
At the invitation of the country’s leadership, the Deputy Speaker participated in a ceremonial military parade on Pha That Luang Square in central Vientiane. The Senator praised the colourful grand ceremony filled with deep respect for history. “Laos has gone through the challenging years of colonial rule and the Indochina War, when the Lao land became an arena for hostilities and destruction. Since 1975, the country has confidently pursued its own path, building a sovereign and independent future,” he said.
During the visit, Nikolai Zhuravlev held meetings with the top LPDR officials. In his conversation with President Thongloun Sisoulith, the Senator highlighted the strength of the Russian-Lao relations built on a years-long friendship, mutual respect and support. The Senator mentioned that in October 2025, Russia and Laos marked 65 years since establishing diplomatic relations. “We deeply respect our shared history and value the fact that Laos gratefully remembers the support from the Soviet Union during difficult times,” the Deputy Speaker said.
He added that the partnership between the two countries develops across all areas. Trade has grown by 65.6 percent in 2024, with various projects in the pipeline, from the construction of a low-capacity nuclear power plant to joint mineral production. Russia and Laos are strengthening education links. There is a project of a Russian-Lao school with an integrated study programme, to be opened in Vientiane.
The discussion covered the outcomes of President Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to Moscow in July 2025. Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the parties signed important documents, including a nuclear energy cooperation roadmap and a plan for strategic military partnership. “We value Vientiane’s independent foreign policy course unaffected by external factors, Laos’s unwavering solidarity with Russia on the pivotal matters of global politics,” stressed Nikolai Zhuravlev in his conversation with the President.
The Senator had a meeting with President of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane. The parties discussed the development of interparliamentary cooperation. Nikolai Zhuravlev passed greetings from Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko. The Deputy Speaker also informed his colleague that the Federation Council had ratified the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Cases and expressed hope that a memorandum of interparliamentary cooperation will be signed soon.
“The interparliamentary links between Russia and Laos develop successfully. These contacts allow sharing legislative experience and work on common approaches,” the Senator said.
As the head of the group on the cooperation between the Federation Council and the parliament of Laos, Nikolai Zhuravlev held a meeting with Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Suvon Luongbunmi. The parties discussed expanding interparliamentary dialogue and supporting joint initiatives in trade, education and humanitarian affairs.
The Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council also met with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development. Nikolai Zhuravlev expressed confidence in further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.