# Foreign relations of Laos

The foreign relations of Laos, internationally designated by its official name as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, after the takeover by the Pathet Lao in December 1975, were characterized by a hostile posture toward the West, with the government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic aligning itself with the Soviet bloc, maintaining close ties with the Soviet Union and depending heavily on the Soviets for most of its foreign assistance. Laos also maintained a "special relationship" with Vietnam and formalized a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and with Vietnam's decreased ability to provide assistance, Laos has sought to improve relations with its regional neighbors and has emerged from international isolation through improved and expanded relations with other nations, such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Australia, France, Japan, and Sweden. Trade relations with the United States were normalized in 2004. Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1997 and applied to join the World Trade Organization in 1998. In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

## Membership of international bodies

Laos is a member of the following international organizations: Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), ASEAN, ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Asian Development Bank, Colombo Plan, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Group of 77, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Labour Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), and Interpol.
Laos is also a member of the International Olympic Commission (IOC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mekong Group, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Pacific Alliance (as observer), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations, United Nations Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions, World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization, World Trade Organization (observer).

## Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Laos maintains diplomatic relations with:
Date :
| 1 | United States | 29 July 1950 |
| 2 | Thailand | 19 December 1950 |
| 3 | France | 31 January 1951 |
| 4 | Australia | 16 January 1952 |
| 5 | Philippines | 14 January 1955 |
| 6 | Japan | 5 March 1955 |
| 7 | Myanmar | 12 July 1955 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | 5 September 1955 |
| 9 | India | 2 February 1956 |
| 10 | Cambodia | 15 June 1956 |
| 11 | Denmark | 1 November 1956 |
| 12 | Indonesia | 30 August 1957 |
| 13 | Switzerland | 3 September 1957 |
| 14 | Germany | 31 January 1958 |
| 15 | Turkey | 20 June 1958 |
| 16 | Nepal | 20 May 1960 |
| 17 | Russia | 7 October 1960 |
| 18 | China | 25 April 1961 |
| 19 | Czech Republic | 5 September 1962 |
| 20 | Vietnam | 5 September 1962 |
| 21 | Poland | 8 September 1962 |
| 22 | Hungary | 12 September 1962 |
| 23 | Mongolia | 12 September 1962 |
| 24 | Bulgaria | 14 October 1962 |
| 25 | Romania | 25 November 1962 |
| 26 | Serbia | 25 November 1962 |
| 27 | Lebanon | 15 July 1963 |
| 28 | Spain | 20 March 1964 |
| 29 | Sweden | 10 October 1964 |
| 30 | New Zealand | 15 July 1965 |
| 31 | Pakistan | 15 July 1965 |
| 32 | Sri Lanka | 20 July 1965 |
| 33 | Italy | 7 December 1965 |
| 34 | Malaysia | 1 July 1966 |
| 35 | Iran | 1967 |
| 36 | Austria | 1 September 1967 |
| 37 | Belgium | 12 December 1967 |
| 38 | Algeria | 15 May 1973 |
| 39 | Canada | 15 June 1974 |
| 40 | South Korea | 22 June 1974 |
| 41 | North Korea | 24 June 1974 |
| 42 | Cuba | 4 November 1974 |
| 43 | Singapore | 2 December 1974 |
| 44 | Finland | 21 January 1975 |
| 45 | Albania | 18 June 1975 |
| 46 | Argentina | 24 July 1975 |
| 47 | Iraq | 2 October 1975 |
| 48 | Netherlands | 17 November 1975 |
| 49 | Libya | 26 July 1976 |
| 50 | Yemen | 26 July 1976 |
| 51 | Egypt | November 1976 |
| 52 | Mexico | 29 November 1976 |
| 53 | Benin | 2 February 1977 |
| 54 | Mali | 2 February 1977 |
| 55 | Tanzania | 15 May 1978 |
| 56 | Madagascar | 27 February 1980 |
| 57 | Somalia | 27 February 1980 |
| 58 | Grenada | 4 March 1980 |
| 59 | Mozambique | 16 April 1980 |
| 60 | Nicaragua | 30 May 1980 |
| 61 | Angola | 11 July 1980 |
| 62 | Guinea | 15 October 1981 |
| 63 | Afghanistan | 11 March 1983 |
| 64 | Zimbabwe | 14 August 1986 |
| 65 | Vanuatu | 18 February 1987 |
| — | Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | 3 August 1987 |
| 66 | Bangladesh | 1988 |
| 67 | Colombia | 30 September 1988 |
| 68 | Peru | 27 April 1989 |
| — | State of Palestine | 15 May 1989 |
| 69 | Greece | 15 June 1989 |
| 70 | Tunisia | 30 November 1989 |
| 71 | Papua New Guinea | 6 April 1990 |
| 72 | Saudi Arabia | 29 May 1990 |
| 73 | Norway | 12 November 1991 |
| 74 | Chile | 6 December 1991 |
| 75 | Uzbekistan | 10 September 1992 |
| 76 | Ukraine | 17 September 1992 |
| 77 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 |
| 78 | Brunei | 27 July 1993 |
| 79 | Israel | 6 December 1993 |
| 80 | Turkmenistan | 4 February 1994 |
| 81 | Belarus | 7 February 1994 |
| 82 | Lithuania | 1 September 1994 |
| 83 | South Africa | 27 September 1994 |
| 84 | Estonia | 29 March 1995 |
| 85 | Latvia | 27 April 1995 |
| 86 | Azerbaijan | 22 May 1995 |
| 87 | Portugal | 31 May 1995 |
| 88 | Brazil | 12 June 1995 |
| 89 | Kyrgyzstan | 13 July 1995 |
| 90 | Croatia | 4 March 1996 |
| 91 | North Macedonia | 6 March 1996 |
| 92 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 7 March 1996 |
| 93 | Slovenia | 28 March 1996 |
| 94 | United Arab Emirates | 15 October 1996 |
| 95 | Zambia | 9 November 1996 |
| 96 | Morocco | 30 January 1997 |
| 97 | Moldova | 25 May 1997 |
| 98 | Kazakhstan | 19 September 1997 |
| 99 | Tajikistan | 23 September 1997 |
| 100 | Luxembourg | 25 September 1997 |
| 101 | Armenia | 21 April 1998 |
| 102 | Ireland | 7 August 1998 |
| 103 | Georgia | 6 November 1998 |
| 104 | Nigeria | 10 June 1999 |
| 105 | Jamaica | 27 August 1999 |
| 106 | Cyprus | 29 June 2000 |
| 107 | Mauritius | 23 May 2002 |
| 108 | Timor-Leste | 29 July 2002 |
| 109 | Bahrain | 15 December 2002 |
| 110 | Liechtenstein | 8 January 2004 |
| 111 | Iceland | 2 September 2004 |
| 112 | Syria | 22 December 2004 |
| 113 | Qatar | 3 February 2005 |
| 114 | Oman | 9 March 2005 |
| 115 | Paraguay | 28 September 2005 |
| 116 | Venezuela | 5 October 2005 |
| 117 | Sudan | 14 October 2005 |
| 118 | Ethiopia | 9 December 2005 |
| 119 | Seychelles | 22 June 2006 |
| 120 | Niger | 8 December 2006 |
| 121 | Andorra | 8 June 2007 |
| 122 | Burkina Faso | 1 August 2007 |
| 123 | Dominican Republic | 27 September 2007 |
| 124 | Guatemala | 20 February 2008 |
| 125 | Kuwait | 14 July 2008 |
| 126 | Ivory Coast | 22 July 2008 |
| 127 | Kenya | 11 December 2008 |
| 128 | Rwanda | 31 August 2009 |
| 129 | Montenegro | 3 February 2010 |
| 130 | Fiji | 27 August 2010 |
| 131 | Malta | 13 January 2011 |
| 132 | Ecuador | 12 September 2011 |
| 133 | Maldives | 10 February 2012 |
| 134 | Mauritania | 19 September 2013 |
| 135 | Costa Rica | 28 September 2015 |
| 136 | Monaco | 27 November 2015 |
| 137 | Liberia | 12 August 2016 |
| 138 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 23 September 2017 |
| 139 | San Marino | 17 December 2018 |
| 140 | Republic of the Congo | 29 August 2019 |
| 141 | Ghana | 27 September 2019 |
| 142 | Dominica | 29 July 2021 |
| 143 | Panama | 9 September 2021 |
| 144 | Uganda | 27 September 2021 |
| 145 | Burundi | 4 February 2022 |
| 146 | Botswana | 11 December 2023 |
| 147 | Uruguay | 19 September 2024 |
| 148 | Bolivia | 6 November 2024 |

## Bilateral relations

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Brunei | | Main article: Brunei–Laos relations Brunei has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. |
| Cambodia | | Main article: Cambodia–Laos relations Cambodia has an embassy in Vientiane and a consulate-general in Pakse. Laos has an embassy in Phnom Penh and a consulate-general in Stung Treng City. |
| China | | Main article: China–Laos relations Relations with the People's Republic of China have improved over the years. Although the two were allies during the Vietnam War, the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979 led to a sharp deterioration in Sino-Lao relations. These relations began to improve in the late 1980s. In 1989 Sino-Lao relations were normalized. In 2017 China invested in Laos under its Belt and Road Initiative. China has an embassy in Vientiane and a consulate-general in Luang Prabang. Laos has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Changsha, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kunming, Nanning and Shanghai. |
| France | | Following its occupation of Vietnam, France absorbed Laos into French Indochina via treaties with Siam in 1893 and 1904. During World War II, the Japanese occupied French Indochina. When Japan surrendered, Lao nationalists declared Laos independent, but by early 1946, French troops had reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos. During the First Indochina War, the Indochinese Communist Party formed the Pathet Lao resistance organization committed to Lao independence. Laos gained full independence following the French defeat by the Vietnamese communists and the subsequent Geneva peace conference in 1954. France has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Paris. |
| Germany | | Main article: Germany–Laos relations Germany has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Berlin. |
| India | | Main article: India—Laos relations India has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in New Delhi. |
| Indonesia | 1957 | Main article: Indonesia–Laos relations Since established diplomatic relations on 1957, both nations enjoys cordial relations. Indonesia supported and welcomed Laos membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. Laos and Indonesia agreed to enhance relations to focus on exploring the potential of both nations to cooperate on trade and investment. The two nations expressed a desire to reach further agreements relating to security, tourism, sport, air transport and education. Indonesia through bilateral cooperation assist Laos on capacity building and development in various sectors, through scholarships, and trainings for Laos students. Indonesia has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Jakarta. |
| Israel | | See also: List of ambassadors of Israel to Laos |
| Japan | | Main article: Japan–Laos relations Japan has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Tokyo. |
| Malaysia | | Main article: Laos–Malaysia relations During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos. This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to adopt a neutral foreign policy. When this policy of neutrality was adopted, relations with Malaysia were established. Laos has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Mexico | 1976 | Laos is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C. Mexico is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. |
| Myanmar | | Main article: Laos–Myanmar relations Laos has an embassy in Yangon. Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Pakistan | | Main article: Laos–Pakistan relations Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. |
| Philippines | | Main article: Laos–Philippines relations Formal relations between Laos and the Philippines were officially established on 14 January 1955. Relations between the two countries were said to have started during the early period of the Vietnam War. Operation Brotherhood, a joint international venture by Jaycees International, sent 50 volunteer Filipino doctors, agriculturists, and nutritionists to Laos and Vietnam from 1957 to 1964. Laos has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane. Lao Prime Ministers Bounnhang Vorachith, Bouasone Bouphavanh and Thongsing Thammavong made their state visit to the Philippines in 2002, June 2007 and May 2012 respectively. Philippine Presidents Fidel V. Ramos visited Laos in October 1997. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Laos in November 2004 for the ASEAN summit and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III visited Laos in November 2012 for the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit. There are about 730 Filipinos in Laos as of 2013, mostly working as professionals as teachers, nurses, engineers, hotel employees and consultants. Filipinos are often offered lower fares on riding tuktuks compared to other foreigners. Filipinos are one of the biggest contributors to Laos' English programs due to the English fluency possessed by most Filipinos. Laos has an embassy in Manila. Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Russia | | Main article: Laos–Russia relations Laos has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Serbia | 1962 | Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1962. Serbia is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Yangon, Myanmar. |
| South Korea | | Main article: Laos–South Korea relations Ko-Laoholdings is South Korean company in Laos which is currently the largest private enterprise. and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations : Jun.22, 1974 / Severance - Jul.24, 1975 / Reestablishment - Oct.25, 1995. Laos has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Thailand | | Main article: Laos–Thailand relations Thai-Lao relations were strained somewhat in 2006 ahead of the release of the sports comedy Lucky Loser, which Lao diplomats warned might offend Lao people and spark disturbances similar to the 2003 Phnom Penh riots. The film's release was cancelled. Thailand is Laos' principal means of access to the sea and its primary trading partner. Despite strong economic and cultural ties with Thailand, parts of the border shared by the two countries are indefinite. Within a year of serious border clashes in 1987, Lao and Thai leaders signed a communiqué, signaling their intention to improve relations. Since then, they have made slow but steady progress, notably the construction and opening of the Friendship Bridge between the two countries. Laos has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate-general in Khon Kaen. Thailand has an embassy in Vientiane and a consulate-general in Savannakhet. |
| Turkey | 1958 | See Laos–Turkey relations The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Vientiane. Trade volume between the two countries was US$2.86 billion in 2018 (Laos' exports/imports: 1.48/1.44 billion USD). |
| United Kingdom | 1955 | See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom Laos established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 5 September 1955. Laos maintains an embassy in London. The UK is accredited to Laos through its embassy in Vientiane. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. |
| United States | | Main article: Laos–United States relations Laos-United States relations officially began when the United States opened a legation in Laos in 1950, when Laos was a semi-autonomous state within French Indochina. These relations were maintained after Laotian independence in 1954. Between 1964-1973, the United States began bombing Laos in an effort to remove the Pathet Lao from power, despite the fact Laos had been neutral during the Vietnam War. This bombing led to Laos becoming the most bombed country on earth; hence why there have been large efforts to remove unexploded mines and bombs from the country. The U.S. government provided more than $13.4 million in foreign assistance to Laos in FY 2006, in areas including unexploded ordnance clearance and removal, health and avian influenza, education, economic development, and governance. In December 2004, George W. Bush signed into law a bill extending normal trade relations to Laos. In February 2005, a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two countries entered into force. There has been a consequent rise in Lao exports to the United States, although the volume of trade remains small in absolute terms. Bilateral trade reached $15.7 million in 2006, compared with $8.9 million in 2003. The Lao Government is working to implement the provisions of the BTA and on 2 February 2013 joined the World Trade Organization. Laos has an embassy in Washington, D.C. United States has an embassy in Vientiane. |
| Vietnam | | Main article: Laos–Vietnam relations Although Vietnam's historical record of leadership over the Pathet Lao during the civil war and its military power and proximity will not cease to exist, Laos struck out ahead of Vietnam with its New Economic Mechanism to introduce market mechanisms into its economy. In so doing, Laos has opened the door to rapprochement with Thailand and China at some expense to its special dependence on Vietnam. Laos might have reached the same point of normalization in following Vietnam's economic and diplomatic change, but by moving ahead resolutely and responding to Thai and Chinese gestures, Laos has broadened its range of donors, trading partners, and investors independent of Vietnam's attempts to accomplish the same goal. Thus, Vietnam remains in the shadows as a mentor and emergency ally, and the tutelage of Laos has shifted dramatically to development banks and international entrepreneurs. Laos has an embassy in Hanoi and consulates-general in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has an embassy in Vientiane and consulates-general in Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet. |