Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane (right) greets Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Péter Szijjártó, in Vientiane on Wednesday.

Laos, Hungary deepen strategic partnership

The governments of Laos and Hungary have agreed to deepen cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, education, trade and infrastructure, during high-level talks held in Vientiane on February 4.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane welcomed Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Péter Szijjártó, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they engaged in discussion and reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation.
The Hungarian foreign minister’s official visit to Laos brought senior representatives from both sides together to review progress in bilateral relations and set new priorities for the coming years.
The two countries have maintained close ties for more than six decades, after establishing diplomatic relations in 1962. Relations were further upgraded in 2019 when Laos and Hungary elevated their partnership to a strategic level.
The ministers agreed to share in more high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation between their foreign ministries, and expand cooperation in trade, investment and human resource development.
The Lao side thanked Hungary for its long-term support, especially with regard to scholarships and infrastructure assistance, while Hungary reaffirmed its continued support for Laos.
Both delegations expressed satisfaction that cooperation has continued to expand in a practical way, particularly in education and development support.
Lao officials thanked the Hungarian government for its many years of assistance, noting that scholarship opportunities and infrastructure projects have played an important role in supporting Laos’ socio-economic development.
The two sides agreed to organise more high-level exchanges and reciprocal visits between government delegations, as well as foster closer cooperation between the two foreign ministries.
A key focus will be sharing experiences and strengthening professional exchanges, including opportunities for young diplomats to learn from each other.
Economic cooperation was also highlighted, with both sides agreeing to explore new avenues in trade and investment in sectors where the two countries have potential. They also reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in human resource development, especially through continued support for Lao students.
Following the talks, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under the Hungarian Scholarship Programme for the 2026-2028 period. The agreement is expected to support more Lao students and officials to study and train in Hungary, helping to build skills that can contribute to national development.
The visit included a significant moment of practical cooperation with the handover ceremony of the Vientiane Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project was financed through an interest-free concessional loan from the government and people of Hungary and was described as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The wastewater treatment plant is expected to support the capital’s development by improving urban sanitation and helping protect the environment, as Vientiane continues to grow.
A joint press conference was held after the talks, with both sides describing the visit as successful and expressing confidence that the partnership will continue to bear fruit for the peoples of both countries in the years ahead.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 5, 2026)