RI seeking more support for IPU presidency bid tt ASEP V meeting

While participating in an Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership meeting here, Indonesia is to seek the support of other countries for its bid to get elected as president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Agung Laksono said.

Laksono is in Beijing to attend the Fifth Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP V) meeting which began on June 18 and will run until June 20.

"The ASEP meeting is an important and strategic opportunity for us to lobby and familiarize other countries on Indonesia`s wish to be elected as IPU President in a vote planned to be held in October in Geneva," Laksono said here Thursday.

Some 150 parliamentarians from Asia and Europe are attending ASEP V. The Indonesian delegation includes Indonesian Ambassador to China Sudrajat.

Laksono said during the meeting Indonesia would try to convince members of parliaments from Europe as well as Asia that it had the potentials and capabilities needed to serve as IPU president.

He claimed Indonesia already had already won the support of 48 countries in Africa and rhe Middle East grouped in the "Union Islamic Country" and of some Asia Pacific countries.

"Hopefully, these countries` commitment to support Indonesia as IPU president will continue until voting day," he said.

But Laksono refused ...