Moscow committed to developing strategic partnership with Laos - Russian Security Council secretary

KUBINKA (Moscow region). Aug 13 (Interfax) - Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has expressed his readiness to continue cooperating with counterparts from Laos as partners.

"Laos is Russia's long-time and reliable friend in Southeast Asia. We are committed to developing our bilateral strategic partnership in a wide range of areas," Shoigu said at a one-to-one meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister of Laos Chansamone Chanyalath.

Vientiane's foreign policy today is independent, self-sufficient and immune to any changing trends, he said.

"This is confirmed, in particular, by the balanced position of our Laotian friends regarding the Ukrainian crisis and their understanding of the goals of the special military operation," Shoigu said.

"I reaffirm the readiness to continue development and interaction between the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the Public Security Ministry of Laos," he said.