Russia and Laos have signed several agreements and a declaration on strategic partnership during the Lao president's first official visit to Moscow.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hosted his Lao counterpart Choummaly Sayasone for talks focused on bilateral trade, telecommunications and hydroelectric power Thursday in the Kremlin.

Following the talks, the two presidents signed the declaration on strategic partnership and oversaw the signing of cooperation agreements in health care, medical science, legal systems, and tourism.

The leaders said they are interested in increasing bilateral trade, which stood at almost $40 million in the first seven months of this year, compared to less than $9 million in all of 2010. Russian sales to Laos account for almost all of the trade.

Russia's official news agency, Itar-Tass, reports Mr. Sayasone also met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who expressed hope the strategic partnership agreement will boost trade and economic relations.