Laos to cooperate on warming, U.N.

VIENTIANE (Kyodo) Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh agreed Sunday to cooperate on measures to curb global warming and efforts to reform the United Nations, Japanese officials said.

In their meeting in Vientiane, Okada assured Bouasone that Japan will continue to provide support to Laos in resolving its poverty problems and proceeding with economic development, the officials said.

"There is no change in our policy of placing emphasis on Laos and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations under the Naoto Kan administration," Okada was quoted as saying, referring to the new government launched in early June.

Bouasone reiterated his country's support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

In a separate meeting, Okada and Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone affirmed the two governments will make preparations to promote Japanese private-sector investment in Laos, the officials said.