Yangon (TDI): Myanmar President, Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will pay a state visit to Laos from 3-5 July at the invitation of Lao President Thongloun Sisolith.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the visit holds significant importance as it marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and is expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and neighborly cooperation.
Laos and Myanmar established their diplomatic relations in 1955, maintaining cooperation since then through bilateral, regional, and multilateral frameworks.
President Min Aung Hlaing is expected to hold talks with Lao leaders during the visit and take part in events marking the milestone anniversary.
The visit comes at a time when Myanmar’s president is actively working to expand his government’s international standing.
The military-led government has faced isolation most of the time since the 2021 coup, which overthrew the elected administration. Because of this, Min Aung Hlaing has been focusing more on building strong relations with neighboring countries.
In mid-June, Min Aung Hlaing made his second visit to Beijing within a year, where Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly endorsed his leadership and pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries, as China remains Myanmar’s strong ally.
Min Aung Hlaing continues the same strategy with the visit to Laos, strengthening relations with neighboring countries and across ASEAN, where reactions to his military government remain divided.
Myanmar and Laos share a long border of 230 kilometers. Both countries have worked together over the years on practical projects, including building the first-ever bridge across the Mekong River connecting the two nations.
The bridge plays a significant role in a large trade route linking Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos. Previous engagement between the two countries have focused on trade, investment, education, tourism, and reopening flight routes, topics that may come up again during the visit.
