Visit to Laos Reaffirms Importance of Bilateral Ties: Díaz-Canel

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, emphasized today that his visit to Vientiane reaffirms the high importance placed on developing bilateral links and political dialogue with Laos.

Díaz-Canel made the statement upon being received at the Presidential Palace by the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith. He thanked Sisoulith for all the affection and hospitality shown to the high-level delegation he leads since their arrival in the capital the previous day.

The Cuban head of state emphasized that "we are united by close, historical, and indestructible bonds of friendship and collaboration" with Laos. He stated that he holds very fond memories of his previous visit in 2018, as well as recent meetings with Sisoulith in Beijing, Moscow, and Hanoi, where they coincided for several commemorations.

In all these instances, he expressed, they have confirmed that a relationship of sincere, honest, and very strong friendship exists, just like the ties between their nations and peoples.

Sisoulith, in turn, agreed with Díaz-Canel on the significance of having met on several occasions recently. He noted that this visit "will be another milestone in the traditional friendly relations between the two countries" and will serve to deepen them and achieve greater results.

Meetings Strengthen Historical Bonds

Subsequently, the PCC General Secretary and Cuban President held a meeting with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. During the meeting, he stated that the deep ties between Cuba and Laos, founded by their historical leaders Fidel Castro and Kaysone Phomvihane, endure to this day.

"We grew up observing how those relations developed, and we are their heirs and committed continuers," he emphasized.

In his first official activity today, Díaz-Canel paid tribute to the heroes and martyrs at the central Monument to the Unknown Soldier, where he laid a floral wreath in a solemn ceremony.

Final Stop of an Asian Tour

The visit by the PCC General Secretary and Cuban President to Laos concludes a tour that began in Vietnam and continued in China, from where he traveled to Laos.

When announcing the tour, the Cuban foreign ministry stated that "the visits to Vietnam and China have special significance, as they fall within the context of the 65th anniversary of the historic relations of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation between our countries."

Meanwhile, the visit to Laos reaffirms the priority Cuba gives to fraternal and friendly relations with that socialist brother nation.

The historical and fraternal ties between Cuba and Laos, which established diplomatic relations in November 1974, date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. This was when the first Cuban medical brigade arrived in the caves of Viengxay, in Houaphanh province, to provide services to the population.