"It is time for Cuba and Laos to strengthen and expand their relations"

Interview with comrade Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on the occasion of the state visit of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

Image via the PCC

By René Tamayo & Leticia Martínez

"Laos will continue to support Cuba on its path to development, it will continue to support Cuba in the fight against the blockade, against any isolation that is imposed on it. And I think it's time to strengthen and expand our relations."

Lao Foreign Minister, the distinguished diplomat Thongsavanh Phomvihane, firmly expresses his support and affection for Cuba.

He agreed to answer some questions from the press group of the Presidency of the Cuban Republic, regarding the state visit made this weekend to this sister nation, by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

Cuba and Laos have both experienced a history of fighting for independence and developing a unique form of socialism, each with distinct characteristics. How has this shared ideological and political solidarity managed to unite two countries that are so geographically distant and culturally close?

We are pleased to have over fifty years of continuous diplomatic relations with Cuba. This is a very long relationship, but it extends beyond just diplomacy. Our shared history dates back even further, as both the Communist Party of Cuba and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party have stood together in the fight against colonialism and neocolonialism.

Cuba supported us in our fight for independence by providing assistance, particularly in healthcare, with medicines and doctors who operated in the north, within the revolutionary resistance areas, in the caves of Viengsay.

We Laotians appreciate very much that the Cuban people, the Communist Party and the Government of Cuba gave us all that support. And since the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, Cuba has extended its hand to us for the construction of the country, for the construction of socialism.

But we also have the historic, long-standing relationship that our two great leaders maintained. Commander Fidel Castro Ruz and President Kaysone Phomvihane, who shared many affinities, maintained a friendly relationship.

This is something we share that cannot be reversed. Despite being geographically distant on separate continents, Cuba and Laos have maintained a close relationship for quite some time.

Also, numerous young people have been trained and graduated in Cuba, becoming professionals who have undoubtedly played a role in Laos' development upon their return. Additionally, there is ongoing economic and commercial cooperation and exchange, though significant potential remains untapped.

Since the establishment of the People's Democratic Republic in 1975, Cuba and Laos have sustained an ongoing educational exchange. Currently, we have numerous young individuals studying there. Indeed, for the past 50 years, young people who have studied in Cuba have played a crucial role in enhancing friendship, relations, and bilateral cooperation. I am confident that Laotian graduates from Cuba will continue in being ambassadors of friendship, continuing to forge connections between the peoples and governments of both countries.

Since Saturday evening, when President Díaz-Canel and his official delegation arrived in Vientiane, there have been continuous expressions of solidarity and affection from the people. Children, teenagers, and young adults have been greeting them on the streets, with the city adorned with symbols of the relationship, and Cuban and Laotian flags displayed along all the avenues. What does this visit signify for you? What message would you like to share with both your fellow citizens and the Cuban people?

The visit by compañero Díaz-Canel and his official delegation is highly significant. We are pleased with the ongoing exchange of high-level visits that we have consistently shared.

In 1976, Kaysone Phomvihane, the general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the prime minister at the time, made an official visit to the island. Since that visit, we have maintained a steady exchange. Comrade Raul Castro visited Laos, along with many other senior Cuban leaders, too numerous to mention individually. In recent years, there have been frequent interactions between the general secretaries of both parties.

Comrade Díaz-Canel's visit is highly significant, particularly during a period like this when the regional and global situation has become uncertain.

Predicting global events is challenging because, despite a current trend towards multilateralism, some ideologies rooted in unilateralism still contradict this global movement.

That is why I believe that the time has come for Laos and Cuba to strengthen our relations. Although geographically we are still far from each other, ideologically we are still very close.

It is true we have excellent relationships in various fields, including politics and parliamentary matters, among others. However, we should broaden these connections further in areas like trade, investment, and health, where significant advancements have been made.

I am confident that President Miguel Díaz-Canel's current state visit will significantly enhance the expansion of our relations.

My message to Cuba is that we stand with you, supporting your ongoing fight for freedom, your resistance, and your development. We do this for the benefit of socialism and for the well-being of its people.

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