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