Speaker of Singapore’s Parliament Halimah Yacob is on a four-day official visit to Laos, from September 15, with the aim of promoting the two nations’ traditional friendship and the links between the two legislative bodies.

During the talks with Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathortou on September 15, the two sides briefed each other on their respective national socio-economic situations, as well as the fruitful results of the bilateral cooperation.

Pany Yathortou spoke highly of Halimah Yacob’s visit to Laos and her participation in the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35) in Vientiane from September 15-20.

She thanked Singapore’s multifaceted support for her country to date, expressing her hope that Singapore’s parliament will further contribute to realising the establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.

The NA Chairwoman also proposed the Singaporean side help train law- making staff as well as improving the capacity of the NA’s training centre.

For her part, Halimah Yacob said the two countries should further tighten their links through mutual visits and the sharing of experience and information in the coming time.

The Singaporean speaker congratulated the Lao Government on its achievements, expressing her belief in the success of the AIPA-35.-VNA