Delegation from Laos arrives

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Laos National Assembly President Pany Yathotou (centre) arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport yesterday on a three-day visit to the Kingdom.

A delegation from the Laos National Assembly,  headed by its president, Pany Yathotou, arrived in Phnom Penh yesterday on a three-day visit that is hoped to strengthen ties with the Kingdom.

The National Assembly president yesterday paid a visit to Cambodia’s Independence Monument after her arrival.

She is scheduled to meet President of the Senate Chea Sim, President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen and have an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni today.  

Chheang Vun, head of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Commission, said yesterday Pany Yathotou, the newly elected head of the National Assembly, was visiting members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to promote legislative ties. 

“I would not be able to elaborate on the details of discussions with her Cambodian counterpart, but we know that it is a courtesy visit to promote a long culture and tradition of bilateral ties between Cambodia and Laos,” Chheang Vun said. “I hope  there will be a fruitful and positive discussion about strengthening the legislative branch [of government].” 

After serving as governor of Laos’s Central Bank for 11 years, Yathotou joined the country’s National Assembly in 1998. 

She became its vice-president and a member of its standing committee in 2002, and its president in December. 

The Laotian delegation will visit Preah Sihanuok province before leaving  the Kingdom on September 4.