Laos and Bahrain Strengthen Legislative Ties

(KPL) Laos and Bahrain have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening legislative cooperation during a meeting in Vientiane on October 19. Lt. Gen. Souvone Leuangbounmy, Vice President of the Lao National Assembly, met with Mr. Ahmed Abdulwahid Qarata, Deputy Chairman of Bahrain's Council of Representatives, along with their respective delegations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 45th he ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) session, hosted by Laos. Lt. Gen. Souvone welcomed Mr. Qarata and his team, expressing his gratitude for Bahrain's participation in the AIPA conference. He emphasized the importance of Bahrain's involvement in supporting the Lao National Assembly's efforts to fulfill its international obligations as the host of the AIPA meeting. He also highlighted the potential for the meeting to foster deeper cooperation between the two nations, particularly in strengthening relations between their legislative bodies. Mr. Qarata expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and reiterated Bahrain's commitment to enhancing ties with Laos. He provided an update on Bahrain's current domestic situation and the work of its Council of Representatives. Lt. Gen. Souvone praised Bahrain's economic and social progress, noting the country's efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and natural gas. He also recognized Bahrain as an attractive tourist destination in the Middle East. Since establishing diplomatic relations on December 15, 2002, Laos and Bahrain have made strides in bilateral relations, though exchanges of high-level delegations and cooperation in trade and investment have been limited. Both sides expressed hope for increased collaboration in the future. Lt. Gen. Souvone also briefed Mr. Qarata on recent developments in Laos, particularly over the first half of 2024, encouraging continued engagement between the two countries. Source: Lao News Agency