The Deputy Speaker spoke on parliamentary efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Nikolai Zhuravlev and Vice President of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) Souvone Lueangbounmy held a joint meeting of the two legislatures’ cooperation groups via videoconference. They head the Russian and Laotian cooperation groups, respectively.
The meeting was attended by Russian Senators Vladimir Kozhin, Gennady Ordenov, and Andrey Chernyshev.
“The Russian-Laotian political dialogue at the highest level is remarkable for its atmosphere of special trust and makes an important contribution to multifaceted cooperation between our countries. Inter-parliamentary ties are also developing actively,” Nikolai Zhuravlev said.
The participants in the meeting discussed key areas of joint work, such as strengthening the legal infrastructure of relations and finalising the memorandum on inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Federation Council and the National Assembly of Laos.
The sides also discussed humanitarian cooperation. Nikolai Zhuravlev reminded his interlocutors that 400 children were studying Russian in Laos as part of the Russian Teacher Abroad project launched by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko. “The Senators are ready to help this figure grow manifold,” Nikolai Zhuravlev said.
Promoting trade and economic ties between the two countries is yet another important avenue in inter-parliamentary cooperation. “Last year, these ties reached a new level, with bilateral trade growing by 65 percent within 12 months. To consolidate this success, it is important to develop logistical routes between our countries and national payment systems,” he said.
According to Nikolai Zhuravlev, it is also important to continue coordinating efforts with Laotian colleagues at relevant international organisations, forums, festivals, exhibitions, and other similar events.