Laos

Working to strengthen Laos-Cuba relations

While attending a reception held at the Cuban Friendship Institute in Havana, the Prime Minister of Laos, Bouasone Bouphavanh, said that his government and the people of Laos are in favor of building their relationship with Cuba.

Lao New Year in Visalia

The Lao New year is “a time of cleansing, of washing off the old and welcoming the new.”

Leaders of Viet Nam and Laos confirm friendship, co-operation

Laos State President Choummaly Sayasone met this week with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to renew efforts for economic and security cooperation between the two nations.

Lao leader to visit Vietnam

State President Choummaly Sayasone will make an official visit to Hanoi to address investment and trade issues between the Laos and Vietnam.

UN agency to help improve justice system in Laos

The UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) will continue to work with the Lao government to increase the nation’s capacity to combat organized crime.

Laos, Thailand to speed up co-op on trade, security

Negotiations for a memorandum of understanding between Laos and Thailand were accelerated this week to promote new levels of cooperation on economic and security issues.

Thailand to send thousands of Hmong back to Laos

Despite concerns that repatriated asylum-seekers will face persecution in Laos, Thailand intends to expel nearly 5,000 ethnic Hmong living to the north of Bangkok.

Laos ratifies cluster bomb ban treaty

Lao PDR became the fifth country to sign the treaty, after the Holy See, Ireland, Sierra Leone and Norway.

Buddha images stolen in Laos

Over 200 Buddha statues were stolen from the southern province of Savaankhet. Images of Buddha are considered very sacred in Laos, with many passed down in lineages and adorned with relics.

Vietnam, Laos promote cultural cooperation

Ministers of Culture in Laos and Vietnam have organized a series of cultural exchanges between their two countries between 2009 and 2012.

Hmong in Thailand may be forced back to Laos

US Members of Congress are urging Thailand to reconsider its decision to force over 5700 Hmong refugees to return to Laos later this year.

Laos and Vietnam focus on effective cross-investment

The Laotian and Vietnamese ministries of planning and investment have formed an agreement that would strengthen investment cooperation between the two countries. The Laotian minister stated that he hopes Vietnam will continue its support of Laos as the country deals with the global economic crisis.

Laos signs International Law Project agreement

Laos is partnering with the Finish government, the EU, and UNDP to implement the third phase of the International Law Project. The initiative seeks to “further Lao government engagement in the international legal system and accelerate capacity development” over the next three years.

Thai PM heads to Laos for first official visit

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made Laos the destination of his first official overseas visit, calling the nation one of Thailand’s important regional allies. Thailand has recently been working closely with Laos, consuming electricity and developing projects to increase infrastructure.

Lao Royal to sell family jewels

A descendent of Lao royalty living in Thailand intends to sell her inheritance to help fund the education of monks. The sales from the antique silks and century-old jewelry will allow South and Southeast Asian monks to study in Thailand.

Financial crisis won't affect Lao stock exchange plans

Despite a global recession, the Lao Security Market Establishment Committee insisted this week that the nation is still on track to establish a stock exchange by 2010. The committee is to sign a joint venture agreement with the Korean Stock Exchange later this year.