Relationship dossier
Laos
Switzerland
Relationship assessment
Development cooperation is the principal known feature of Laos–Switzerland relations.
Laos toward Switzerland
+15Lao authorities cooperate with Switzerland on development programs implemented in Laos. The extent of other Lao government initiatives toward Switzerland is unclear.
Switzerland toward Laos
+35Switzerland provides development assistance in Laos through programs addressing areas such as governance, vocational education and rural development.
Overall relationship
+25The relationship is principally characterized by Swiss development assistance and cooperation with Lao authorities. This provides a substantive cooperative foundation, while the breadth of other bilateral arrangements is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Laos and Switzerland have a development-cooperation relationship, with Swiss assistance supporting programs in Laos and cooperation with Lao authorities. The relationship appears constructive, though its full scope and the extent of specific Lao government actions toward Switzerland are unclear.
Key developments
Switzerland began development cooperation in Laos.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral development programs are unclear.
- Details of Lao government cooperation with Switzerland beyond development programs are limited.