Events

MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) - An agreement on friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was signed by Presidents of the two countries Alexander Lukashenko and Choummaly Sayasone in Minsk on 1 July, BelTA has learnt.

Following the negotiations a number of cooperation agreements in different areas were signed in the presence of the two heads of state. The sides concluded intergovernmental agreements on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports, on promotion and mutual protection of investments, on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and property. Other agreements pertain to cooperation in R&D and education.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the signing of the agreement on friendly relations will provide the impetus for all-round mutual cooperation which runs the gamut from humanitarian to the political one. The intergovernmental agreements will shape the legal framework of bilateral cooperation and will be the basis for future contracts in specific areas of cooperation.