Hungary launched its policy of opening to the east in 2010, a statement by parliament’s press office cited Kövér as saying. Diplomatic ties with Laos go back 55 years and serve as a good basis for further developing and strengthening cooperation, the statement added.

Kövér noted that Yathotou’s was the first official visit by a Laotian national assembly president to Hungary. They both called for the strengthening of bilateral ties in the economy, education, tourism, agriculture, water management and veterinary care, the statement said.

Yathotou thanked the Hungarian people for their sympathy and support in the aftermath of the disaster in Attapeu Province on July 23, in which a dam burst, killing dozens of people and making six thousand homeless.
 

MTI Photo: Bruzák Noémi