Foreign relations of Laos

The foreign relations of Laos, internationally designated by its official name as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, after the takeover by the Pathet Lao in December 1975, were characterized by a hostile posture toward the West, with the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic aligning itself with the Soviet bloc, maintaining close ties with the Soviet Union and depending heavily on the Soviets for most of its foreign assistance. Laos also maintained a "special relationship" with Vietnam and formalized a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China.

Laos
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 Laos portal

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and with Vietnam's decreased ability to provide assistance, Laos has sought to improve relations with its regional neighbors and has emerged from international isolation through improved and expanded relations with other nations such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Australia, France, Japan, and Sweden. Trade relations with the United States were normalized in 2004. Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1997 and applied to join the World Trade Organization in 1998. In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

Membership of international bodies

Laos is a member of the following international organizations: Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), ASEAN, ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN Regional Forum, Asian Development Bank, Colombo Plan, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Group of 77, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Labour Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), and Interpol.

Laos is also a member of the International Olympic Commission (IOC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mekong Group, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Pacific Alliance (as observer), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations, United Nations Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions, World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization, World Trade Organization (observer).

Bilateral relations

Overview
Foreign relation of Laos

Laos has established relations with 134 countries (including the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the State of Palestine) and the European Union. Laos has not yet established diplomatic relations with:

  • El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Uruguay
  • Belize, Bahamas, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Vatican City
  • Jordan, Bhutan
  • Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Comoros, Malawi, DRCongo, Congo, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Togo, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Gambia, Cape Verde
  • Palau, Micronesia, Nauru, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa
  • Sovereign Military Order of Malta
  • the rest of states with limited recognition.
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia21 April 1998

Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 21, 1998.[1]

 Australia
 Brunei
Main article: Brunei–Laos relations
 Cambodia
 China
Main article: China–Laos relations

Relations with the People's Republic of China have improved over the years. Although the two were allies during the Vietnam War, the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979 led to a sharp deterioration in Sino-Lao relations. These relations began to improve in the late 1980s. In 1989 Sino-Lao relations were normalized. In 2017 China invested in Laos under its Belt and Road Initiative.[2]

 Cuba
  • Cuba has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Havana.
 France

Following its occupation of Vietnam, France absorbed Laos into French Indochina via treaties with Siam in 1893 and 1904. During World War II, the Japanese occupied French Indochina. When Japan surrendered, Lao nationalists declared Laos independent, but by early 1946, French troops had reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos. During the First Indochina War, the Indochinese Communist Party formed the Pathet Lao resistance organization committed to Lao independence. Laos gained full independence following the French defeat by the Vietnamese communists and the subsequent Geneva peace conference in 1954.

  • France has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Paris.
 India
  • India has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in New Delhi.
 Indonesia1957
Main article: Indonesia–Laos relations

Since established diplomatic relations on 1957, both nations enjoys cordial relations. Indonesia supported and welcomed Laos membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. Laos and Indonesia agreed to enhance relations to focus on exploring the potential of both nations to cooperate on trade and investment. The two nations expressed a desire to reach further agreements relating to security, tourism, sport, air transport and education.[3] Indonesia through bilateral cooperation assist Laos on capacity building and development in various sectors, through scholarships, and trainings for Laos students.[4]

  • Indonesia has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Jakarta.
 Japan
Main article: Japan–Laos relations
  • Japan has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Tokyo.
 Malaysia
Main article: Laos–Malaysia relations

During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos.[5] This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to adopt a neutral foreign policy.[5] When this policy of neutrality was adopted, relations with Malaysia were established.[5]

  • Laos has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia has an embassy in Vientiane.
 Mexico1976
  • Laos is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C.[6][7]
  • Mexico is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.[8]
 Myanmar
Main article: Laos–Myanmar relations
  • Laos has an embassy in Yangon.
  • Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane.
 Pakistan
Main article: Laos–Pakistan relations
  • Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
 Philippines
Main article: Laos–Philippines relations

Formal relations between Laos and the Philippines were officially established on January 14, 1955. Relations between the two countries were said to have started during the early period of the Vietnam War. Operation Brotherhood, a joint international venture by Jaycees International, sent 50 volunteer Filipino doctors, agriculturists, and nutritionists to Laos and Vietnam from 1957 to 1964. Laos has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane.

Lao Prime Ministers Bounnhang Vorachith, Bouasone Bouphavanh and Thongsing Thammavong made their state visit to the Philippines in 2002, June 2007 and May 2012 respectively. Philippine Presidents Fidel V. Ramos visited Laos in October 1997. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Laos in November 2004 for the ASEAN summit and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III visited Laos in November 2012 for the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit.

There are about 730 Filipinos in Laos as of 2013, mostly working as professionals as teachers, nurses, engineers, hotel employees and consultants. Filipinos are often offered lower fares on riding tuktuks compared to other foreigners. Filipinos are one of the biggest contributors to Laos' English programs due to the English fluency possessed by most Filipinos.

  • Laos has an embassy in Manila.
  • Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane.
 Russia
Main article: Laos–Russia relations
 Serbia1962

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1962.[11]

  • Serbia is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.
 South Korea
  • Ko-Laoholdings is South Korean company in Laos which is currently the largest private enterprise.[12] and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations : Jun.22, 1974 / Severance - Jul.24, 1975 / Reestablishment - Oct.25, 1995.[13]
  • Laos has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Vientiane.
 Spain
Main article: Laos–Spain relations
  • Laos is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
 Thailand
Main article: Laos–Thailand relations

Thai-Lao relations were strained somewhat in 2006 ahead of the release of the sports comedy Lucky Loser, which Lao diplomats warned might offend Lao people and spark disturbances similar to the 2003 Phnom Penh riots. The film's release was cancelled.

Thailand is Laos' principal means of access to the sea and its primary trading partner. Despite strong economic and cultural ties with Thailand, parts of the border shared by the two countries are indefinite. Within a year of serious border clashes in 1987, Lao and Thai leaders signed a communiqué, signaling their intention to improve relations. Since then, they have made slow but steady progress, notably the construction and opening of the Friendship Bridge between the two countries.

  • Laos has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate-general in Khon Kaen.
  • Thailand has an embassy in Vientiane and a consulate-general in Savannakhet.
 Turkey1958[14]See Laos–Turkey relations
  • The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Turkey.[14]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Vientiane.[14]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 2.86 billion USD in 2018 (Laos' exports/imports: 1.48/1.44 billion USD).[15]
 United States
Main article: Laos–United States relations

Laos-United States relations officially began when the United States opened a legation in Laos in 1950, when Laos was a semi-autonomous state within French Indochina. These relations were maintained after Laotian independence in 1954.

The U.S. government provided more than $13.4 million in foreign assistance to Laos in FY 2006, in areas including unexploded ordnance clearance and removal, health and avian influenza, education, economic development, and governance.

In December 2004, George W. Bush signed into law a bill extending normal trade relations to Laos. In February 2005, a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two countries entered into force. There has been a consequent rise in Lao exports to the United States, although the volume of trade remains small in absolute terms. Bilateral trade reached $15.7 million in 2006, compared with $8.9 million in 2003. The Lao Government is working to implement the provisions of the BTA and on 2 February 2013 joined the World Trade Organization.

 Vietnam
Main article: Laos–Vietnam relations

Although Vietnam's historical record of leadership over the Pathet Lao during the civil war and its military power and proximity will not cease to exist, Laos struck out ahead of Vietnam with its New Economic Mechanism to introduce market mechanisms into its economy. In so doing, Laos has opened the door to rapprochement with Thailand and China at some expense to its special dependence on Vietnam.[16]

Laos might have reached the same point of normalization in following Vietnam's economic and diplomatic change, but by moving ahead resolutely and responding to Thai and Chinese gestures, Laos has broadened its range of donors, trading partners, and investors independent of Vietnam's attempts to accomplish the same goal. Thus, Vietnam remains in the shadows as a mentor and emergency ally, and the tutelage of Laos has shifted dramatically to development banks and international entrepreneurs.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/12/c_136277569.htm
  3. "Laos, Indonesia to focus relations on trade and investment". www.laopdr.gov.la. National Portal of Laos PDR. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  4. "Current Socio Culture Relations". Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, Vientiane, Laos. Embassy of Indonesia. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  5. Martin Stuart-Fox (28 September 1997). A History of Laos. Cambridge University Press. pp. 200–. ISBN 978-0-521-59746-3.
  6. Embassy of Laos in the United States
  7. Relations between Mexico and Thailand and Laos (in Spanish)
  8. Embassy of Mexico in Thailand
  9. "LAO EMBASSY TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  10. "Главная - Министерство иностранных дел Российской Федерации". Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  12. "::: KOLAO Holdings - Opportunity & Beyond :::". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  13. http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/asiapacific/countries/20070802/1_24413.jsp?menu=m_30_10%5B%5D
  14. "Relations between Turkey and Laos". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  15. "Turkey-Laos Bilateral Economic and Commercial Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  16. Brown, MacAlister and Joseph J. Zasloff. "Relations with Vietnam". Laos: a country study (Andrea Matles Savada, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (July 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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