MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in deepening trade and economic cooperation with Laos, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko said as he met with Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos, Chairman of the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane, BelTA has learned.
Igor Sergeyenko congratulated Laos on successful chairmanship in ASEAN in 2024. The speaker highlighted the importance of the parliamentary dimension in strengthening and deepening friendly ties, promoting a peaceful, unifying agenda.
“Both Belarus and Laos have faced many challenges throughout their history. Therefore, we do not want wars. We are interested in expanding trade and economic cooperation, promoting mutual interests in the markets of the EAEU and ASEAN countries for the purpose of sustainable development,” the speaker noted.
The Belarusian parliament speaker invited Saysomphone Phomvihane to visit Belarus and meet with the leadership of the state and parliament of Belarus and discuss cooperation prospects. He also suggested considering the possibility of holding a Belarus-Laos business forum during such a visit.
Trade and economic relations between Belarus and Laos need to be as good as political ones. “There are plenty of ways that parliamentarians can help the executive branch to expand interstate cooperation,” Igor Sergeyenko remarked. These are, first of all, trade, education, science and culture, interaction on international platforms.
Belarus and Laos would like to intensify contacts through parliamentary friendship groups. The parties are confident that their joint work will bear fruit and contribute to strengthening the friendly ties between the two countries.
It is also promising to build academic partnerships and step up cooperation in culture and public diplomacy, to forge direct contacts between political parties and public associations of the two countries. One of important areas of cooperation could be the patriotic education of youth, preserving the historical truth and memory of the contribution of the Belarusian and Laotian peoples to the struggle for freedom and independence from external aggressors.
A reminder, the Belarusian parliamentary delegation headed by Chairman of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeyenko is paying an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic. On 19 October, Igor Sergeyenko spoke at the first plenary session of the 45th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations held under the theme “The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN” in Vientiane.
The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (AIPA) was established in 1977. Currently, ASEAN has 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. The AIPA has 23 observers. The parliament of Belarus received the observer status in September 2011 in Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia) at the 32nd AIPA General Assembly. This gave Belarus an access to a platform for a permanent dialogue with the member countries of the organization on economic, political, social and humanitarian issues. Belarusian MPs regularly participate in events organized by the AIPA, including the annual AIPA General Assembly.
Photos courtesy of the press service of the House of Representatives
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