Japan, Laos agree to cooperate on global warming, U.N. reform+

VIENTIANE, July 25 Kyodo - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh agreed Sunday to cooperate on measures to tackle 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 Japan's 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, the officials said.
In a separate meeting, Okada and Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone affirmed
that the two governments will make preparations for the promotion of Japanese
private sector investment in Laos, the officials said.
==Kyodo