Committee Chairman Milos Aligrudic emphasised the importance of developing parliamentary cooperation between Serbia and Laos, especially as far as the activities of the Foreign Affairs Committee are concerned. Aligrudic also said that there is room to improve economic cooperation, especially in the sphere of civil engineering and construction of hydroelectric power plants, where Serbia could offer Laos it expertise. The Committee Chairman thanked Laos for its principled support of Serbia when it comes to non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Laos, Bounyong Boupha highlighted the importance of the recently signed agreements between the two countries, stressing the need to exchange experiences between the two committees in the future. Speaking of cooperation at the international level, the officials agreed that the two countries’ reciprocal support in the United Nations is very important.
Underlining the traditionally good bilateral relations between Serbia and Laos, Committee Deputy Chairperson Irena Vujovic informed the guests that an initiative to set up a Parliamentary Friendship Group with Laos would soon be launched. Committee member Sanda Raskovic Ivic suggested an exchange of experiences in the spheres of defence and women and children’s rights, particularly via the women’s parliamentary networks - informal groups of women MPs in both parliaments.
The meeting was also attended by Committee members Milica Dronjak, Zlata Djeric and Marija Obradovic.