Vientiane, July 5 (AseanAll) — On the afternoon of 3 July 2026, at the Office of the Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), welcomed and held a meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Union of Myanmar, together with a high-level delegation. The Myanmar President is conducting an official state visit to the Lao PDR from 3 to 5 July 2026.
On this occasion, Sonexay extended a warm welcome and spoke highly of President Min Aung Hlaing’s state visit accompanied by his spouse and the high-level delegation. He stated that the visit serves as a positive milestone in consolidating and advancing the long-standing, time-honoured friendly ties and close neighbourly cooperation between Laos and Myanmar forged over more than seven decades. The Prime Minister also welcomed the successful official talks between Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and President Min Aung Hlaing earlier in the day, during which the two sides exchanged two cooperation agreements.
In addition, the Lao Prime Minister congratulated Myanmar on the formation of its new government and President Min Aung Hlaing on assuming the presidency. He expressed confidence that Myanmar would continue to advance under the president's leadership and noted that the visit reflected the importance both countries attach to their traditional friendship.
During the talks, both sides reviewed cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including politics, defense and security, trade, investment, transport, energy, labor, education, humanitarian assistance, and efforts to address transboundary haze. They agreed to further strengthen practical cooperation through the Laos–Myanmar Joint Cooperation Committee and other bilateral mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Union of Myanmar, expressed sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the Lao Government and the Lao people for their warm reception and consistent mutual support and assistance over the years. He noted such efforts have enabled the two countries’ time-honoured friendship and close cooperation to flourish and bear even greater fruits in the future. Min Aung Hlaing also congratulated Sonexay Siphandone on his election as Prime Minister of the Lao PDR.
Following his meetings in Vientiane, Min Aung Hlaing and his delegation visited Luang Prabang, where they toured cultural, historical, and religious sites in the UNESCO World Heritage city.
