Lao and Cuban Foreign Ministries Deepen Bilateral Cooperation

Vientiane: The 2nd Political Consultation Meeting between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and the Republic of Cuba was held on July 25, 2025, in Vientiane. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Maithong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, and Mr. Gerardo Peñalver Portal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, who led his delegation on a working visit to Laos. According to Lao News Agency, the meeting began with Deputy Minister Maithong welcoming the Cuban delegation and highlighting the significance of their visit in strengthening the traditional friendship between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Laos and Cuba. Mr. Gerardo Peñalver Portal expressed gratitude for the reception and reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to bilateral ties. The meeting was recognized as a mechanism for reinforcing the long-standing relationship and promoting mutual understanding, information exchange, and discussions on key cooperation issues. The parties reviewed past cooperation, i dentified lessons learned, and discussed future strategic directions, particularly between their foreign ministries. The historic ties between Laos and Cuba, based on mutual trust, support, and shared revolutionary values, were reaffirmed. Both parties acknowledged the development of cooperation across sectors such as economy, health, education, sports, agriculture, culture, and social development, supported by regular high-level exchanges. The two sides agreed to review and promote the implementation of past agreements, enhance cooperation in existing areas, explore new sectors of mutual interest, foster trade and investment, support each other in regional and international arenas, and exchange updates on domestic and global issues. At the meeting's conclusion, both delegations expressed appreciation for the longstanding solidarity and mutual support between the two nations. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperative ties between Laos and Cuba.