Asia

Home page

Asia

Russian foreign minister to discuss ties with Laos in Vientiane

21 July 2010 04:40 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will on Wednesday hold talks in the Laotian capital Vientiane to reactivate relations with the Southeast Asian country, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

The talks’ agenda will be dominated by trade and economic issues, energy, military and technical issues, as well as civil aviation. Telecommunications, culture, education and tourism will also be discussed.

In October, Russia and Laos will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Both countries want to further develop and deepen bilateral ties.

"We regard the official visit by the Russian foreign minister to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as an important stage in developing bilateral ties called upon to give an additional impetus to Russian-Laotian interaction in all directions of mutual interest," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said.

Lavrov is to meet with Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

Russia intends to confirm its interest in continuing coordination of actions with Laos as part of various integration mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific region, and in strengthening the dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This issue is important shortly before an annual meeting of foreign ministers of Russia and ASEAN, as well as the 17th session of the ASEAN Regional Security Forum due July 22-23 in Hanoi.