Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) meets with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen Laos-Vietnam cooperation.

PM meets with foreign leaders to boost ties

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with leaders of Vietnam, Canada and Brunei Darussalam in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 26 to strengthen regional cooperation and deepen bilateral partnerships.
During the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in Malaysia from October 26-28, Prime Minister Sonexay held separate talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. 
At his meeting with the Vietnamese leader, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) meets with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The two prime ministers agreed to continue implementing key strategic projects that aim to link the two countries’ economic infrastructures through transport and energy connectivity.
They also discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting between the two Politburos and the 48th session of the Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission, which will further strengthen cooperation in various sectors.
In talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the two leaders reviewed the 51 years of friendship and cooperation between Laos and Canada since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974.
They noted with appreciation the fruitful partnership in many areas, including political dialogue, unexploded ordnance clearance, education, health, and trade.
Both expressed support for Laos in its role as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Canada relations for 2024-2027.
In addition, Canada reaffirmed backing for Laos as it prepares to chair the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to be held in Vientiane in 2026.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) pays a courtesy call on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei in Kuala Lumpur.

On the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay also paid a courtesy call on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. The two leaders said they valued the progress made in the 32 years of diplomatic relations, which were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the Sultan’s state visit to Laos in 2023.
They discussed ways to further enhance trade, investment, and cooperation in agriculture, energy, services and tourism, as well as to promote people-to-people links.
His Majesty the Sultan invited Prime Minister Sonexay to visit Brunei at a later date and confirmed his country’s readiness to host the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in 2026.
Prime Minister Sonexay expressed his gratitude for the invitation and congratulated Brunei on its preparations to host the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in 2026.
He said he looked forward to welcoming His Majesty the Sultan and Her Majesty the Queen of Brunei to Laos in the near future, as both sides continue to build a stronger partnership under the ASEAN community framework.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 28, 2025)