Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit struck the 150 kg World Peace Gong three times to acknowledge the presentation of the gong to Laos by the World Peace Committee of Indonesia at Patuxay Monument in Vientiane last Saturday.

President of the World Peace Committee of Indonesia, Dr Djuyoto Suntani, senior officials and representatives from embassies to Laos and international organisations along with 500 students from Vientiane Upper Secondary School attended the presentation ceremony.

Mr Bounnhang strikes the World Peace Gong, while Dr Suntani looks on.

“On behalf of the Lao government and the multi-ethnic Lao people across the country, I wish to express my profound thanks to the president of the Indonesian committee for the presentation of this gong to the Lao PDR today,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith.

Dr Thongloun said Laos had enjoyed enduring peace and long-standing stability, combined with steady socio-economic development results while continuing to implement a foreign policy of peace, friendship and cooperation with the world community as well as maintaining friendly relations with all neighbouring countries over the past 30 years.

“The birth and sustained progress of Laos stems from a protracted struggle filled with great loss and sacrifice by our forefathers and citizens in successive periods,” he said.

Dr Thongloun said the Lao people's profound spirit of patriotism and their love for peace was an immense strength in the struggle against all forms of foreign aggression and the fight for national independence, enduring peace and prosperity.

With valuable support and assistance from other peace loving people near and far, the Lao people attained their dignified aspiration, the establishment of the Lao PDR, on December 2, 1975.

Dr Thongloun said over past decades, Laos , under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, had continued to move the country forward on the path of prosperity, while actively contributing to maintaining long lasting peace and justice in the region and in the world.

“Our country has established diplomatic relations with 128 countries and is an active member of various international organisations, both regional and sub-regional. In addition, Laos is party to more than 100 multilateral treaties under the UN Framework, its related agencies, and other important international organisations,” he said.

Dr Thongloun said Indonesia , a country that plays an active and important role in the international arena, must be recognised as a land of ancient civilisation. The nation was the cradle of the Pancasila principle and among the key founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Asean and other significant organisations.

Indonesia has always devoted itself to struggles for international peace and security.

The nation presents the Peace Gong to peace-loving people who have contributed to maintaining peace and stability across the globe, an extremely admirable and most respectful initiative, he said.

“Today, the community and citizens of Laos have made history, becoming advanced pioneers of world peace,” said Dr Suntani. He said Laos was the fourth country to receive the honorary World Peace Gong, after China , India and Mozambique .

The award had been made in recognition of the Lao people's significant contributions to historic, cultural, geographic, geo-economic and geo-political issues at the regional and global level.

Laos is only the landlocked country in the Asean region, surrounded by the five countries of Cambodia , China , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam . Its central location means it has remained a focal point for peace and stability, Dr Suntani said.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Vientianetimes