Ulaanbaatar, June 11, 2024 /MONTSAME/.  At the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith is paying a State Visit to Mongolia on June 11-12, 2024.

On June 11, 2024, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith held official talks at the State Palace of Mongolia.

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh emphasized that Mongolia and Laos have ancient historical ties, and maintain friendly relations. President Khurelsukh expressed confidence that the State Visit after 17 years at the level of the Head of State of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Mongolia would give a crucial impetus to the development of traditionally friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and the people of Mongolia for the kind invitation and warm welcome. President Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted the tradition of mutual support between the Mongolian and Laotian people during challenging times. The President of Laos also expressed gratitude to the people of Mongolia for standing by the people of Laos and consistently supporting the cause of protecting independence and sovereignty throughout all times of change and reform around the world, regions, and states.

The two sides concurred that the State Visit of the President of the Lao PDR to Mongolia would be a catalyst in determining the perspective and direction of bilateral cooperation for the next sixty years, based on the principle of mutually supportive and beneficial cooperation between Mongolia and Laos.

The two Heads of State commended the realization of decisions and initiatives agreed upon during the State Visit of President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to Laos in 2023. The two parties expressed confidence that the Lao President's State Visit would build upon the successes and achievements accomplished in relations and cooperation between the two countries last year, opening a new chapter in Mongolia-Laos relations.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to enriching relations between the two countries with trade and economic content and boosting bilateral cooperation in politics, defense, transportation, agriculture, education, culture, and health by transforming the disadvantages of being landlocked developing countries into advantages.

The Heads of State signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Veterinary Services and Quarantine of Animals and Livestock last year. The two sides agreed that the “International Veterinary Certificate for Exporting Frozen Mutton, Goat, and Horse Meat from Mongolia to Laos”, which has been concluded following the Intergovernmental Agreement, would expand trade and economic cooperation in food and agriculture between the two countries.

President Khurelsukh emphasized the importance of launching direct flights between Mongolia and Laos to increase the mutual flow of visitors, boost exports and imports between the two countries, and create favorable business conditions. President of Mongolia further expressed the significance of commencing cooperation in passenger and cargo transport under the Agreement on Aviation Relations between the Governments of Mongolia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The Lao side expressed commitment to studying possibilities of cooperation in establishing an area named after Laos as a symbol of friendship of the two countries in the “International Eco Park” to be built in Ulaanbaatar as part of the “One Billion Trees” National Campaign initiated by the President of Mongolia. The two sides concurred that this will strengthen people-to-people ties and consolidate the friendship of future generations of the two countries. The two sides underlined that Mongolia and Laos have been actively cooperating and supporting each other on regional and international arenas and affirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international and multilateral organizations.

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh congratulated the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for chairing the ASEAN this year and wished success in this important role. President Khurelsukh expressed gratitude to Laos for affirming its continuing support to Mongolia’s bid to become ASEAN dialogue partner and join regional mechanisms, including APEC.

After the official talks, documents on strengthening the legal framework of relations between the two countries were signed.