Foreign relations of Laos explained

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.

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:

CountryDate[1]
1 Thailand19 December 1950
2 France31 January 1951
3 Australia16 January 1952
4 Philippines14 January 1955
5 Japan5 March 1955
6 Myanmar12 July 1955
7 United States10 August 1955
8 United Kingdom5 September 1955
9 India2 February 1956
10 Cambodia15 June 1956
11 Denmark1 November 1956
12 Indonesia30 August 1957
13 Switzerland3 September 1957
14 Germany31 January 1958
15 Turkey20 June 1958
167 October 1960
17 China25 April 1961
18 Czech Republic5 September 1962
195 September 1962
20 Poland8 September 1962
21 Hungary12 September 1962
22 Mongolia12 September 1962
23 Bulgaria14 October 1962
24 Romania25 November 1962
25 Serbia25 November 1962
26 Lebanon15 July 1963
27 Spain20 March 1964
28 Sweden10 October 1964
29 New Zealand15 July 1965
30 Pakistan15 July 1965
31 Sri Lanka20 July 1965
32 Italy7 December 1965
33 Malaysia1 July 1966
341967
35 Austria1 September 1967
36 Belgium12 December 1967
37 Nepal20 May 1970
38 Algeria15 May 1973
39 Canada15 June 1974
4022 June 1974[2]
4124 June 1974
42 Cuba4 November 1974
43 Singapore2 December 1974
44 Finland21 January 1975
45 Albania18 June 1975
46 Argentina24 July 1975
47 Iraq[3] 2 October 1975
48 Netherlands17 November 1975
49 Libya26 July 1976
50 Yemen26 July 1976
51 EgyptNovember 1976
52 Mexico29 November 1976
53 Benin2 February 1977
54 Mali2 February 1977
5515 May 1978
56 Madagascar27 February 1980
57 Somalia27 February 1980
58 Grenada4 March 1980
59 Mozambique16 April 1980
60 Nicaragua30 May 1980
61 Angola11 July 1980
62 Guinea15 October 1981
63 Afghanistan11 March 1983
64 Zimbabwe14 August 1986
65 Vanuatu18 February 1987
3 August 1987
66 Bangladesh1988
67 Colombia30 September 1988
68 Peru27 April 1989
15 May 1989
69 Greece15 June 1989
70 Tunisia30 November 1989
71 Papua New Guinea6 April 1990
72 Saudi Arabia29 May 1990
73 Norway12 November 1991
74 Chile6 December 1991
75 Uzbekistan10 September 1992
76 Ukraine17 September 1992
77 Slovakia[4] 1 January 1993
7827 July 1993
79 Israel6 December 1993
80 Turkmenistan4 February 1994
81 Belarus7 February 1994
82 Lithuania1 September 1994
83 South Africa27 September 1994
84 Estonia29 March 1995
85 Latvia27 April 1995
86 Azerbaijan22 May 1995
87 Portugal31 May 1995
88 Brazil12 June 1995
89 Kyrgyzstan13 July 1995
90 Croatia4 March 1996
916 March 1996
92 Bosnia and Herzegovina7 March 1996
93 Slovenia28 March 1996
94 United Arab Emirates15 October 1996
95 Zambia9 November 1996
96 Morocco30 January 1997
9725 May 1997
98 Kazakhstan19 September 1997
99 Tajikistan23 September 1997
100 Luxembourg25 September 1997
101 Armenia21 April 1998
102 Ireland7 August 1998
103 Georgia6 November 1998
104 Nigeria10 June 1999
105 Jamaica27 August 1999
106 Cyprus29 June 2000
107 Mauritius23 May 2002
10829 July 2002
109 Bahrain15 December 2002
110 Liechtenstein8 January 2004
111 Iceland[5] 2 September 2004
11222 December 2004
113 Qatar3 February 2005
114 Oman9 March 2005
115 Paraguay28 September 2005
1165 October 2005
117 Sudan14 October 2005
118 Ethiopia9 December 2005
119 Seychelles22 June 2006
120 Niger8 December 2006
121 Andorra8 June 2007
122 Burkina Faso1 August 2007
123 Dominican Republic27 September 2007
124 Guatemala20 February 2008
125 Kuwait14 July 2008
12622 July 2008
127 Kenya11 December 2008
128 Rwanda31 August 2009
129 Montenegro3 February 2010
130 Fiji27 August 2010
131 Malta13 January 2011
132 Ecuador12 September 2011
133 Maldives10 February 2012
134 Mauritania19 September 2013
135 Costa Rica28 September 2015
136 Monaco27 November 2015
137 Liberia12 August 2016
138 Saint Kitts and Nevis23 September 2017
139 San Marino17 December 2018
14029 August 2019
141 Ghana27 September 2019
142 Dominica29 July 2021
143 Panama9 September 2021
144 Uganda27 September 2021
145 Burundi4 February 2022
146 Botswana

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
Australia

See main article: article and Brunei–Laos relations.

Cambodia

See main article: article and Cambodia–Laos relations.

China

See main article: article and 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.[6]

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

See main article: article and Germany–Laos relations.

  • Germany has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Berlin.
India

See main article: article and India—Laos relations.

  • India has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in New Delhi.
Indonesia1957

See main article: article and 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.[7] Indonesia through bilateral cooperation assist Laos on capacity building and development in various sectors, through scholarships, and trainings for Laos students.[8]

  • Indonesia has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Jakarta.
Israel

See also: List of ambassadors of Israel to Laos.

Japan

See main article: article and Japan–Laos relations.

  • Japan has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Laos has an embassy in Tokyo.
Malaysia

See main article: article and Laos–Malaysia relations.

During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos.[9] This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to adopt a neutral foreign policy. When this policy of neutrality was adopted, relations with Malaysia were established.

  • 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.[10] [11]
  • Mexico is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.[12]
Myanmar

See main article: article and Laos–Myanmar relations.

  • Laos has an embassy in Yangon.
  • Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane.
Pakistan

See main article: article and Laos–Pakistan relations.

  • Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Philippines

See main article: article and Laos–Philippines relations. 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.

See main article: article and Laos–Russia relations.

Serbia1962Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1962.[15]
  • Serbia is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.

See main article: article and Laos–South Korea relations.

  • Ko-Laoholdings is South Korean company in Laos which is currently the largest private enterprise.[16] and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations : Jun.22, 1974 / Severance - Jul.24, 1975 / Reestablishment - Oct.25, 1995.
  • Laos has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Vientiane.
Spain
  • Laos is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thailand

See main article: article and 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[17] See Laos–Turkey relations
  • The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Turkey.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Vientiane.
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$2.86 billion in 2018 (Laos' exports/imports: 1.48/1.44 billion USD).[18]
United KingdomSee Foreign relations of the United KingdomLaos established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 5 September 1955.[19]
  • Laos maintains an embassy in London.
  • The UK is accredited to Laos through its embassy in Vientiane.[20]

Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization.

United States

See main article: article and 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.

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;[21] 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.

See main article: article and 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.[22]

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.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diplomatic Relations. 30 June 2021. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos. 1 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601144934/http://www.mofa.gov.la/index.php/lo/2015-04-07-02-45-52/1950. live.
  2. Web site: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea-Asia Pacific . mofa.go.kr . 22 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150904015758/http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/asiapacific/countries/20070802/1_24413.jsp?menu=m_30_10 . 4 September 2015 . dead.
  3. Web site: Congratulatory Messages on the occasion of the 88th Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Iraq . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos . 10 April 2024 . 10 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410085136/http://www.mofa.gov.la/index.php/activities/messages/3830-congratulatory-messages-on-the-occasion-of-the-88th-anniversary-of-the-national-day-of-the-republic-of-iraq . live .
  4. Web site: Laos. 30 June 2021. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia. sk. 8 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708062423/http://www.mzv.sk/cestovanie_a_konzularne_info/detail/-/asset_publisher/Iw1ppvnScIPx/content/laoska-ludovodemokraticka-republika?displayMode=1. dead.
  5. Web site: Iceland - Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. 30 June 2021. Government of Iceland. 1 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221001104210/https://www.government.is/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/protocol/establishment-of-diplomatic-relations/. live.
  6. Web site: Belt and Road Initiative provides new impetus for China-Laos economic cooperation - Xinhua | English.news.cn.
  7. Web site: Laos, Indonesia to focus relations on trade and investment . http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110804160451/http://laopdr.gov.la/ePortal/news/detail.action?id=27063&from=ePortal_NewsDetail_FromHome . dead . 4 August 2011 . 20 January 2011. laopdr.gov.la . National Portal of Laos PDR . 30 May 2013.
  8. Web site: Current Socio Culture Relations . Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, Vientiane, Laos . Embassy of Indonesia . 30 May 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130923071816/http://kbrivientiane.org/article.php?id=110&lang=en . 23 September 2013 .
  9. Book: Martin Stuart-Fox. A History of Laos. 28 September 1997. Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-59746-3. 200.
  10. Web site: Embassy of Laos in the United States . 28 June 2020 . 25 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211125195458/https://laoembassy.com/ . live .
  11. Web site: Relations between Mexico and Thailand and Laos (in Spanish) . 28 June 2020 . 13 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190713032625/http://www.senado.gob.mx/comisiones/relext_ap/docs/nombramiento_JVNS.pdf . live .
  12. Web site: Embassy of Mexico in Thailand . 28 June 2020 . 25 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125141038/https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/tailandia/ . live .
  13. Web site: LAO EMBASSY TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION . 21 February 2015.
  14. Web site: Главная - Министерство иностранных дел Российской Федерации. 21 February 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150221194931/http://laos.mid.ru//. 21 February 2015.
  15. Web site: Laos . 31 December 2016 . 1 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170101003533/http://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/foreign-policy/bilateral-issues/96-bilateral-issues/12308-laos . dead .
  16. Web site:

    KOLAO Holdings - Opportunity & Beyond :::

    . 21 February 2015. 28 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328135239/http://www.kolaoholdings.com/. live.
  17. Web site: Relations between Turkey and Laos. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6 October 2020. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151230231111/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-laos.en.mfa. live.
  18. Web site: Turkey-Laos Bilateral Economic and Commercial Relations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6 October 2020. 16 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160716150831/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkey_laos-bilateral-economic-and-commercial-relations.en.mfa. live.
  19. Web site: Competition to mark 60 years of UK-Laos diplomatic relations. 16 February 2015. GOV.UK. 5 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723184811/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/competition-to-mark-60-years-of-uk-laos-diplomatic-relations. 23 July 2019. live.
  20. Web site: British Embassy Vientiane. GOV.UK. 5 May 2024. 3 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240503160021/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-vientiane. live.
  21. Web site: Laos MAG . 2024-03-08 . www.maginternational.org . en-gb . 8 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308023821/https://www.maginternational.org/laos-enews/ . live .
  22. 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.