Lao and Thai Parliaments Strengthen Strategic Partnership for Growth and Development

(KPL) The Lao and Thai parliaments have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, which were elevated to a strategic partnership for sustainable growth and development in June 2022. On October 21, Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane met with his Thai counterpart, Wanmuhamadnoor Matha, President of Thailand's National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Wanmuhamadnoor was in Vientiane to attend the 45th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly at the invitation of the Lao National Assembly. During the meeting, President Xaysomphone emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership, which has deepened cooperation in key sectors such as economics, trade, investment, energy, human resource development, public health, and tourism. Thailand is a major foreign investor in Laos, ranking as the third-largest investor, with significant contributions in energy and tourism. It also leads in the number of foreign tourists visiting L aos. Both leaders underscored the significance of joint infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River and the development of transport routes linking Laos and Thailand to the Lao-China railway, viewed as crucial for future cooperation. The governments are focused on executing the agreements and action plans outlined in their five-year strategic partnership (2022-2026), with a goal of fostering sustainable development. Laos is prioritizing its transformation from a landlocked country to a regional transit hub, utilizing the Lao-China high-speed railway to boost ASEAN's connectivity with China and other countries. As Laos prepares to celebrate its Year of Tourism in 2024, both leaders expressed hope that Thai investors and tourists will continue to support Laos' economic growth. President Xaysomphone also praised the robust collaboration between the Lao National Assembly and the Thai Parliament. This cooperation, highlighted by high-level exchanges and parliamentar y friendship committees, is viewed as a key element of the strategic partnership. Looking forward, both parliaments pledged to further strengthen ties by implementing agreements in trade, investment, tourism, and energy, and to continue their cooperation in regional and international parliamentary forums such as AIPA, APPF, IPU, and ASEP. Thailand's Parliament and government also contributed 2.1 million baht to support Laos in hosting the 45th AIPA General Assembly, demonstrating their commitment to fostering close cooperation between the two countries. Source: Lao News Agency