Laos, RI to boost parliamentary ties

Laos, RI to boost parliamentary ties

JAKARTA: Prime Minister of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith paid a
courtesy call to House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
on Friday, with both agreeing to enhance interparliamentary
relations between the two Southeast Asian countries.

"We, the House, have specifically expressed our intention to
boost cooperation with the Laotian legislature," Akbar told
reporters after the meeting.

In his response, Vorachith said he promised to convey the
message to the head of the Laotian legislature, Akbar said.

Vorachith visited Akbar, who is currently on trial on
corruption charges, on the second day of his four-day trip to
Indonesia.

House deputy speakers Tosari Widjaya and Soetardjo
Soerjogoeritno accompanied Akbar during the talks, which lasted
around one hour.

Akbar said the House would send a delegation to Laos in June
to follow up the agreement.

Vorachith held talks with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on
Thursday shortly after arriving.

The two heads of government witnessed the signing of a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral cooperation to
enhance cooperation in agriculture and fisheries.

The MOU was signed by Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Laotian trade
minister Thoumy Thipphavone.

"To strengthen bilateral relations, we have agreed to arrange
a regular exchange of visits as well as cooperation with each
other in more concrete terms," Vorachith said in a joint media
conference.

Vorachith and is entourage will also visit Harapan Kita
cardiac hospital and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah before departing
for Manila on Sunday. --JP