Kuala Lumpur, May 27 (AseanAll)  — Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a bilateral meeting on May 26,2025 to reaffirm and expand cooperation between their two nations.

The meeting took place during Prime Minister Sonexay’s official visit to Malaysia and his participation in the 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level events from May 26–27.

During the talks, Sonexay praised the long-standing friendship between Laos and the Philippines, highlighting the consistent growth of cooperation through regular high-level exchanges and mutual support in both regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN.

Marking a significant milestone, both countries celebrated the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic Relations in 2025 with an exchange of congratulatory messages. Sonexay expressed sincere gratitude to the Philippine government and its people for their continued support, particularly in the field of human resource development through training programs and scholarships.

Sonexay also thanked the Philippines for its support of Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and pledged Laos’ full support for the Philippines as it assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to a cohesive and resilient ASEAN Community.

The leaders welcomed growing cooperation across various sectors, noting increased Filipino investment in Laos—especially in clean energy—as a positive development. Both sides expressed mutual interest in expanding collaboration in key areas such as agriculture, tourism, and sustainable energy.

To further solidify bilateral ties, Sonexay extended an invitation to President Marcos Jr. to undertake an official visit to Laos at a convenient time, especially in the context of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations—a celebration expected to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.