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:

File:Diplomatic relations of Laos.svg
	Country	Date
1	United States	Template:DTS
2	Thailand	Template:DTS
3	France	Template:DTS
4	Australia	Template:DTS
5	Philippines	Template:DTS
6	Japan	Template:DTS
7	Myanmar	Template:DTS
8	United Kingdom	Template:DTS
9	India	Template:DTS
10	Cambodia	Template:DTS
11	Denmark	Template:DTS
12	Indonesia	Template:DTS
13	Switzerland	Template:DTS
14	Germany	Template:DTS
15	Turkey	Template:DTS
16	Nepal	Template:DTS
17	Russia	Template:DTS
18	China	Template:DTS
19	Czech Republic	Template:DTS
20	Vietnam	Template:DTS
21	Poland	Template:DTS
22	Hungary	Template:DTS
23	Mongolia	Template:DTS
24	Bulgaria	Template:DTS
25	Romania	Template:DTS
26	Serbia	Template:DTS
27	Lebanon	Template:DTS
28	Spain	Template:DTS
29	Sweden	Template:DTS
30	New Zealand	Template:DTS
31	Pakistan	Template:DTS
32	Sri Lanka	Template:DTS
33	Italy	Template:DTS
34	Malaysia	Template:DTS
35	Iran	Template:DTS
36	Austria	Template:DTS
37	Belgium	Template:DTS
38	Algeria	Template:DTS
39	Canada	Template:DTS
40	North Korea	Template:DTS
41	Cuba	Template:DTS
42	Singapore	Template:DTS
43	Finland	Template:DTS
44	Albania	Template:DTS
45	Argentina	Template:DTS
46	Iraq	Template:DTS
47	Netherlands	Template:DTS
48	Libya	Template:DTS
49	Yemen	Template:DTS
50	Egypt	Template:DTS
51	Mexico	Template:DTS
52	Benin	Template:DTS
53	Mali	Template:DTS
54	Tanzania	Template:DTS
55	Madagascar	Template:DTS
56	Somalia	Template:DTS
57	Grenada	Template:DTS
58	Mozambique	Template:DTS
59	Nicaragua	Template:DTS
60	Angola	Template:DTS
61	Guinea	Template:DTS
62	Afghanistan	Template:DTS
63	Zimbabwe	Template:DTS
64	Vanuatu	Template:DTS
—	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	Template:DTS
65	Bangladesh	Template:DTS
66	Colombia	Template:DTS
67	Peru	Template:DTS
—	Template:Country data State of Palestine	Template:DTS
68	Greece	Template:DTS
69	Tunisia	Template:DTS
70	Papua New Guinea	Template:DTS
71	Saudi Arabia	Template:DTS
72	Norway	Template:DTS
73	Chile	Template:DTS
74	Uzbekistan	Template:DTS
75	Ukraine	Template:DTS
76	Slovakia	Template:DTS
77	Brunei	Template:DTS
78	Israel	Template:DTS
79	Turkmenistan	Template:DTS
80	Belarus	Template:DTS
81	Lithuania	Template:DTS
82	South Africa	Template:DTS
83	Estonia	Template:DTS
84	Latvia	Template:DTS
85	Azerbaijan	Template:DTS
86	Portugal	Template:DTS
87	Brazil	Template:DTS
88	Kyrgyzstan	Template:DTS
40	South Korea	Template:DTS
90	Croatia	Template:DTS
91	Template:Country data North Macedonia	Template:DTS
92	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Template:DTS
93	Slovenia	Template:DTS
94	United Arab Emirates	Template:DTS
95	Zambia	Template:DTS
96	Morocco	Template:DTS
97	Moldova	Template:DTS
98	Kazakhstan	Template:DTS
99	Tajikistan	Template:DTS
100	Luxembourg	Template:DTS
101	Armenia	Template:DTS
102	Ireland	Template:DTS
103	Template:Country data Georgia	Template:DTS
104	Nigeria	Template:DTS
105	Jamaica	Template:DTS
106	Cyprus	Template:DTS
107	Mauritius	Template:DTS
108	Timor-Leste	Template:DTS
109	Bahrain	Template:DTS
110	Liechtenstein	Template:DTS
111	Iceland	Template:DTS
112	Syria	Template:DTS
113	Qatar	Template:DTS
114	Oman	Template:DTS
115	Paraguay	Template:DTS
116	Venezuela	Template:DTS
117	Sudan	Template:DTS
118	Ethiopia	Template:DTS
119	Seychelles	Template:DTS
120	Niger	Template:DTS
121	Andorra	Template:DTS
122	Burkina Faso	Template:DTS
123	Dominican Republic	Template:DTS
124	Guatemala	Template:DTS
125	Kuwait	Template:DTS
126	Ivory Coast	Template:DTS
127	Kenya	Template:DTS
128	Rwanda	Template:DTS
129	Montenegro	Template:DTS
130	Fiji	Template:DTS
131	Malta	Template:DTS
132	Ecuador	Template:DTS
133	Maldives	Template:DTS
134	Mauritania	Template:DTS
135	Costa Rica	Template:DTS
136	Monaco	Template:DTS
137	Liberia	Template:DTS
138	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Template:DTS
139	San Marino	Template:DTS
140	Republic of the Congo	Template:DTS
141	Ghana	Template:DTS
142	Dominica	Template:DTS
143	Panama	Template:DTS
144	Uganda	Template:DTS
145	Burundi	Template:DTS
146	Botswana	Template:DTS
147	Uruguay	Template:DTS
148	Bolivia	Template:DTS

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Brunei		Brunei has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Cambodia		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		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 has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Berlin.
India		India has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in New Delhi.
Indonesia	1957	Since established diplomatic relations on 1957, both nations enjoy 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 assists 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
Japan		Japan has an embassy in Vientiane. Laos has an embassy in Tokyo.
Malaysia		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 Hanoi, Vietnam.
Myanmar		Laos has an embassy in Yangon. Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane.
Pakistan		Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Philippines		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		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		Ko-Laoholdings is a 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		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	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		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 United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.
United States		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		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.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Laos
• List of diplomatic missions of Laos