Foreign relations of Laos

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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.

Contents

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, ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Asian Development Bank, Colombo Plan, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the 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).

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Laos maintains diplomatic relations with:

Diplomatic relations of Laos.svg
CountryDate [1]
1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 19 December 1950
2Flag of France.svg  France 31 January 1951
3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 16 January 1952
4Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 14 January 1955
5Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 5 March 1955
6Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 12 July 1955
7Flag of the United States.svg  United States 10 August 1955
8Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5 September 1955
9Flag of India.svg  India 2 February 1956
10Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 15 June 1956
11Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1 November 1956
12Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 30 August 1957
13Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 3 September 1957
14Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 31 January 1958
15Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 20 June 1958
16Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 20 May 1960 [2]
17Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 7 October 1960
18Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 25 April 1961
19Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 5 September 1962
20Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 5 September 1962
21Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 8 September 1962
22Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 12 September 1962
23Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 12 September 1962
24Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 14 October 1962
25Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 25 November 1962
26Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 25 November 1962
27Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 15 July 1963
28Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 20 March 1964
29Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 10 October 1964
30Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 15 July 1965
31Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 15 July 1965
32Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 20 July 1965
33Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 7 December 1965
34Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 1 July 1966
35Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1967
36Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1 September 1967
37Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 12 December 1967
38Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 15 May 1973
39Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 15 June 1974
40Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 22 June 1974 [3]
41Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 24 June 1974
42Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 4 November 1974
43Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 2 December 1974
44Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 21 January 1975
45Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 18 June 1975
46Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 24 July 1975
47Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq [4] 2 October 1975
48Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 17 November 1975
49Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 26 July 1976
50Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 26 July 1976
51Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt November 1976
52Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 29 November 1976
53Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 2 February 1977
54Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 2 February 1977
55Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 15 May 1978
56Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 27 February 1980
57Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 27 February 1980
58Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 4 March 1980
59Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 16 April 1980
60Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 30 May 1980
61Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 11 July 1980
62Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 15 October 1981
63Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 11 March 1983
64Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 14 August 1986
65Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 18 February 1987
Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic 3 August 1987
66Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 1988
67Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 30 September 1988
68Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 27 April 1989
Flag of Palestine.svg  State of Palestine 15 May 1989
69Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 15 June 1989
70Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 30 November 1989
71Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 6 April 1990
72Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 29 May 1990
73Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 12 November 1991
74Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 6 December 1991
75Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 10 September 1992
76Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 17 September 1992
77Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia [5] 1 January 1993
78Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 27 July 1993
79Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 6 December 1993
80Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 4 February 1994
81Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 7 February 1994
82Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 1 September 1994
83Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 27 September 1994
84Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 29 March 1995
85Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 27 April 1995
86Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 22 May 1995
87Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 31 May 1995
88Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 12 June 1995
89Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan 13 July 1995
90Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 4 March 1996
91Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 6 March 1996
92Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 7 March 1996
93Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 28 March 1996
94Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 15 October 1996
95Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 9 November 1996
96Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 30 January 1997
97Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 25 May 1997
98Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 19 September 1997
99Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 23 September 1997
100Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 25 September 1997
101Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 21 April 1998
102Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 7 August 1998
103Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 6 November 1998
104Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 10 June 1999
105Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 27 August 1999
106Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 29 June 2000
107Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 23 May 2002
108Flag of East Timor.svg  East Timor 29 July 2002
109Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 15 December 2002
110Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 8 January 2004
111Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland [6] 2 September 2004
112Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 22 December 2004
113Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 3 February 2005
114Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 9 March 2005
115Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 28 September 2005
116Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 5 October 2005
117Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 14 October 2005
118Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 9 December 2005
119Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 22 June 2006
120Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 8 December 2006
121Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 8 June 2007
122Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 1 August 2007
123Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 27 September 2007
124Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 20 February 2008
125Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 14 July 2008
126Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 22 July 2008
127Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 11 December 2008
128Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 31 August 2009
129Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 3 February 2010
130Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 27 August 2010
131Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 13 January 2011
132Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 12 September 2011
133Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 10 February 2012
134Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania 19 September 2013
135Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 28 September 2015
136Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 27 November 2015
137Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 12 August 2016
138Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 23 September 2017
139Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 17 December 2018
140Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Republic of the Congo 29 August 2019
141Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 27 September 2019
142Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica 29 July 2021
143Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 9 September 2021
144Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 27 September 2021
145Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 4 February 2022
146Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 11 December 2023
147Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 19 September 2024 [7]
148Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 6 November 2024 [8]

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

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. [9]

Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba
  • Cuba has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Havana.
Flag of France.svg  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.
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
  • Germany has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Berlin.
Flag of India.svg  India
  • India has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in New Delhi.
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 1957

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. [10] Indonesia through bilateral cooperation assist Laos on capacity building and development in various sectors, through scholarships, and trainings for Laos students. [11]

  • Indonesia has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Jakarta.
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
  • Japan has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Tokyo.
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia

During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos. [12] This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to adopt a neutral foreign policy. [12] When this policy of neutrality was adopted, relations with Malaysia were established. [12]

  • Laos has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia has an embassy in Vientiane.
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 1976
  • Laos is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C. [13] [14]
  • Mexico is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. [15]
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
  • Laos has an embassy in Yangon.
  • Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane.
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
  • Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines

Formal relations between Laos and the Philippines were officially established on 14 January 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.
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 1962

Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1962. [18]

  • Serbia is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
  • Ko-Laoholdings is South Korean company in Laos which is currently the largest private enterprise. [19] and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations : Jun.22, 1974 / Severance - Jul.24, 1975 / Reestablishment - Oct.25, 1995. [3]
  • Laos has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Vientiane.
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
  • Laos is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand

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.
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 1958 [20] See Laos–Turkey relations
  • The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Turkey. [20]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Vientiane. [20]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$2.86 billion in 2018 (Laos' exports/imports: 1.48/1.44 billion USD). [21]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1955See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

Laos established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 5 September 1955. [22]

  • Laos maintains an embassy in London. [22]
  • The UK is accredited to Laos through its embassy in Vientiane. [23]

Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization.

Flag of the United States.svg  United States

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.

Between 1964-1973, the United States began bombing Laos in an effort to remove the Pathet Lao from power, despite the fact Laos had been neutral during the Vietnam War. This bombing led to Laos becoming the most bombed country on earth; [24] hence why there have been large efforts to remove unexploded mines and bombs from the country.

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.

Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam

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. [25]

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. [25]

See also

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