Laos to be recognised as peaceful country

The World Peace Committee of Indonesia has announced it will present Laos with a khong of peace, a musical instrument used to recognise peaceful countries, in March this year.
Committee president Mr Djuyoto Suntani met with the President of the Peace and Solidarity Committee of Laos, Mr Bounpone Sangsomsack, at the Lao Plaza Hotel in V ientiane yesterday to discuss preparations for the presentation ceremony.
Once the khong is presented, Laos will become the fourth country in the world and the first country in Southeast Asia to be recognised in this way by the World Peace Committee of Indonesia, according to Mr Bounpone.
During the meeting, Mr Suntani praised Laos for its enduring peace and solidarity, with no violence or discrimination between ethnic groups, a fulfilment of the Resolution of the Eighth Party Congress held in March 2006.
Mr Bounpone informed the delegation led by Mr Suntani of current socio-economic developments in Laos , explaining the government's policy of promoting family businesses to make the country a modern and industrialised nation by 2020.
He also commented on the growth of the Lao tourism industry, which has generated significant income and helped to alleviate poverty in many communities.
On the same day, Mr Suntani called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, at his office to discuss future cooperation between the two nations.
The delegation from the World Peace Committee of Indonesia also visited places of cultural and historical interest in Vientiane .
The Peace and Solidarity Committee of Laos was established several years ago and every year holds events to create public awareness of the importance of building a peaceful world.

By Somsack Pongkhao