Thailand and Laos sign six agreements in Vientiane

Photo: Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (2nd R) and his wife Vandara Siphandone (R) pose for photos with Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra (L) ahead of the opening ceremony of the Asean Summits in Vientiane on October 9.//AFP

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra signed six agreements Wednesday with Laos to strengthen cooperation and mutual ties and promote growth and sustainable development, according to the Vientiane Times.

Paetongtarn made the official visit one day before the ASEAN-related summits, which began this morning. She will attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, along with other related meetings, including a series of bilateral discussions with leaders from dialogue partner countries.

The first Memorandum of Cooperation concerns the management of integrated water resources, while the second agreement formalized a bond of friendship between Vientiane and Thailand’s Khon Kaen province, added the Vientiane Times,

The third agreement covers cooperation in civil servant management, the fourth pertains to technical assistance, the fifth focuses on cooperation in rail freight transport, and the sixth is a Letter of Intent to reinforce the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, which links Vientiane and Thailand’s Nong Khai province.

The signing of these six agreements was witnessed by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Paetongtarn. Additionally, the Thai prime minister presented the results of a study on the design of the planned Xiengmaen-Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge to Sonexay.

The two leaders also exchanged views on cooperation and future plans, including political-security ties, efforts to tackle the drug trade and transboundary air pollution, as well as the survey and demarcation of their shared border. Both countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure integration, development, and labor.

The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other in regional and international forums and to exchanging perspectives on mutual interests concerning regional and global events.

The Lao premier expressed high regard for Paetongtarn’s first official visit to Laos, noting that it reflected the strength of Thailand-Laos relations. He added that next year will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.