KPL
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Republic of Indonesia are committed to further solidifying their bilateral relations and sound cooperation. This commitment was reaffirmed during a recent official visit by a high-level Lao delegation to Indonesia.
Responding to an invitation from Mr. Sugiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, accompanied by his spouse and delegation, undertook an official visit to Indonesia from 4th to 5th May 2026.
The visit aimed to further cultivate the existing friendly relations and cooperation between the two nations.
On 4th May 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, both sides held discussions and reviewed the past cooperation between their countries.
They also deliberated and exchanged views on promoting future cooperation. Both parties highly commended the close friendship and cooperation between the Lao PDR and Indonesia, which has continuously developed over the past 69 years.
This progress is evident in the regular exchange of high-level visits and people-to-people interactions between the two countries.
Notably, in 2027, both nations will jointly celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Indonesia, which commenced on 30th August 1957. Various activities are planned for this occasion in both Vientiane and Jakarta. Furthermore, both sides expressed satisfaction with the continuous enhancement of cooperation in political affairs, national defence, economy, human resource development, tourism, and other sectors.
They agreed to further promote trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, particularly in priority sectors where both possess potential.
In addition, both sides exchanged views on regional and international situations of mutual interest and discussed elevating bilateral relations in the future.
During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Government and people of Indonesia.
On behalf of the Party and Government of the Lao PDR, he also extended sincere congratulations to Mr. Sugiono on his appointment as Secretary-General of the Gerindra Party in August 2025.
He further thanked the Government and people of Indonesia for their support and assistance to the Lao Government and people, especially during the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.
Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane also extended an invitation to Mr. Sugiono, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, to pay an official visit to the Lao PDR and co-chair the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting between Laos and Indonesia in 2027, a year that will also mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
During this visit, Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane also met with Mr. Bernardino Moningka Vega, Vice Chair for International Affairs at Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to promote trade and investment cooperation between the Lao PDR and Indonesia. He also received a courtesy call from Mr. Pratito Suharyo, the prospective Chairman of the Indonesia-Laos Friendship Association, to further enhance cooperation between the Laos-Indonesia and Indonesia-Laos Friendship Associations, building upon the successful and fruitful cooperation at the governmental level.
Additionally, the delegation visited the headquarters of PT Pupuk Indonesia to encourage the company’s investment in the Lao PDR and explored cultural sites in Indonesia.
The visit was highly successful and received a warm welcome from the Indonesian side, reflecting the growing friendship and sound cooperation between the two countries over nearly 70 years.
