Lao Vice President, Russian President discuss bilateral ties, hail sound relations

Vice President Pany Yathotou and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the sound relations between Laos and Russia during talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia.

Vice President Pany Yathotou (left) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin. --Photo Russian Embassy to Laos

Welcoming Mrs Pany, the Russian leader spoke highly of the bilateral ties between the two countries.
“We have longstanding, very good friendly relations with your country, and you yourself have made a very noticeable contribution to the development of interstate relations,” President Putin was quoted as saying on the Russian government’s website.
Mrs Pany, who was formerly President of Laos’ National Assembly, attended the forum in place of President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is currently in Cuba.
“We know you as our good, reliable friend. You have visited our country several times and, as chairman of parliament, you have made a significant contribution to the development of bilateral parliamentary relations,” the Russian President told Mrs Pany.
President Putin asked Mrs Pany to convey warmest wishes and greetings to his Lao counterpart Thongloun, whom he expects to meet in Russia next month.
 “We hope to see him in Russia - I think we are planning an event in October,” President Putin said.
The Russian leader noted that Laos and Russia are developing humanitarian ties, with a number of Lao nationals studying at Russian universities.
“Your medical specialists are being trained. Contacts also continue between military departments. I am confident that all this has good prospects for development,” Mr Putin told his guest.
He thanked Mrs Pany for coming to the Eastern Economic Forum.
“This is a good platform for establishing contacts with many partners from this region of the world and holding relevant meetings, contacts, and negotiations with Russian colleagues,” President Putin added.
Through an interpreter, Mrs Pany expressed heartfelt thanks for the invitation to the Eastern Economic Forum.
“We highly appreciate our meeting today; this is a good sign for the development of our joint cooperation in various fields,” she told President Putin.
“I will certainly convey your greetings to President Thongloun Sisoulith.”
Mrs Pany conveyed to the Russian leader words of gratitude from President Thongloun for his invitation to participate as a special guest at the forum.
“However, due to the previously agreed state visit of our President to Cuba to attend the G77 summit, Comrade Thongloun Sisoulith was not able to personally participate in this event,” she informed her host.
Mrs Pany observed that under President Putin’s leadership, Russia - despite facing difficulties and challenges from outside - was able to maintain internal political and social stability, the Russian economy continues to develop, and the role and influence of Moscow is constantly growing stronger in the world and the region in the process of forming a multipolar world order.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 13, 2023)