Thailand's Speaker of the House of Representatives Somsak Kiatsuranont visited Laos from October 7-8 to further cement the relationship between the two countries' parliaments.
Ms Pany Yathortou and Mr Somsak Kiatsuranont leave the National Assembly in Vientiane after bilateral talks between the two parliamentary delegations. -- Photo Bounthan
During his two-day visit, the house speaker and his delegation shared information and experiences with high-ranking Lao parliamentarians led by the National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathortou.
During Friday's meeting, the two parties expressed their gratitude for the historically close ties reflected in the shared ethnicity, customs, culture and languages of the two neighbouring nations.
Both representatives said the two parliaments should promote the uniqueness of Lao-Thai relations as a model of cooperation in the region.
Ms Pany expressed her happiness that the relationship between the two countries has constantly strengthened through regular exchange visits by high-ranking leaders. These included a state visit by President Choummaly Sayasone to Thailand in 2009 as the honoured guest of His and Her Majesty the King and Queen of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit.
Ms Pany also spoke of her delight that Mr Somsak had chosen Laos as his first international destination on his tour of the parliaments of ASEAN countries since his election as Speaker of the House.
Cooperation in politics and security between the two countries has improved for the benefit of both nations in areas such as border security and demarcation, drug control, cross-border management, cross-border provincial cooperation, justice, human trafficking, cross-border labour migration, and infrastructure development.
Pertaining to cooperation in economics, trade and investment, Thailand is the third ranked investor in Laos with a current investment value of US$2.68 billion.
The two countries' legislatures have held exchange visits to share experiences in recent years including a visit in 2009 by the then house speaker of Thailand and his delegation to the Asia-Pacific Parliament Forum in Vientiane.
During such events on the regional and international stages the two countries have consistently supported each other on issues of common interest.
To further cooperation between the two parliaments, Ms Pany suggested organising exchange visits for National Assembly delegations at all levels from committee members to technical staff in a variety of fields, but with a particular focus on legal work.
Ms Pany called on the two parliaments to speed up the implementation of agreements signed by the two governments, partic ularly those relating to the promotion of trade and investment, energy, science and technology, sustainable development, human trafficking, infrastructure development, and border issues.
The Lao side also raised the issue of human resource development in the legal field and raised the prospect of further assistance from the Thai parliament.
Mr Somsak and his delegation called on Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and visited cultural and historical landmarks in Vientiane.
