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| 22 April 2004 | Thursday | 01 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Laos assures Pakistan of support on ARF entry
VIENTIANE, April 21: Laos on Wednesday assured Pakistan of full support in its bid to join the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) following a meeting between heads of the two governments here at the Prime Minister's office.
Talking to reporters after meeting Laos Prime Minister Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali termed the talks fruitful and said Pakistan also offered a revolving loan of $10 million to Laos as buyer's credit.
He said Laos extended full support to Pakistan in joining the ARF. Mr Vorachith said his country had always supported Pakistan and would continue to do so in future. Laos would assume Asean's presidentship next year.
Laos also offered Pakistan free land to construct its consulate building. The offer was welcomed by Pakistan. The two sides agreed to enhance exchange of high-level visits. The meeting which lasted over an hour discussed a host of issues and the two sides agreed to strengthen ties in diplomatic, economic and bilateral areas.
Ministers and senior officials from both sides attended the meeting. Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told newsmen that Pakistan offered cooperation to Laos in the areas of information technology, defence, cotton spinning, cement production and training of foreign service personnel.
He said both sides also agreed to enhance exchange of media and cultural delegations. Sheikh Rashid said the two sides stressed to enhance economic and trade ties. He said there was a demand for assistance in the construction industry.
The two sides also appreciated China's role in the six-country talks on North Korea's nuclear issue. Led by Prime Minister Jamali, the Pakistani delegation included Sheikh Rashid, Petroleum Minister Nouraiz Shakoor, Investment Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, parliamentary secretary for industries Rai Aslam Khan Kharal, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar, Pakistan's Ambassador to Thailand Mir Hussain Baksh Bangulzai, Interior Secretary Tasneem Noorani and senior government officials.
The prime minister of Laos was assisted by ministers of industries, investment, trade and information and senior officials. The landlocked Laos has a population of around six million. Its major exports are products made of wood, garments, coffee and tin, while its imports are machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel and consumer goods.
WARM WELCOME: Earlier, Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali was accorded a warm welcome when he arrived here on the first leg of a four-nation tour which will also take him to China, Cambodia and Thailand.
National flags of both countries flew at the airport as the prime minister's special flight landed. Mr Jamali was received by Laos' Minister of Industry Onneua Phommachanh and senior officials.
In his arrival statement, Mr Jamali described his visit as "path-breaking and of "historic significance" and hoped that it would lead to development of friendly and cooperative relations between the people of two countries.
"I am confident that this visit will lead to the strengthening of our bilateral relations and forging of a multifaceted partnership for peace and development between Pakistan and Laos," he said.
The prime minister was driven to the National Assembly where he was received by his counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith for a formal welcoming ceremony.
GREETS VAJPAYEE: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali conveyed greetings and good wishes to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while overflying India on Wednesday.
It was the first time that Prime Minister Jamali flew through the Indian airspace since the two countries agreed to normalize their relations following the historic Saarc summit earlier this year at Islamabad.
Mr Jamali in his message said: "I wish to convey to your excellency greetings and sincere good wishes." "I wish to convey to you our congratulations on the well- deserved victory by the Indian cricket team in the recently concluded Pakistan-India cricket series." -APP
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