Photo: The World Peace Committee of Indonesia presented the World Peace Gong to India 2006.

VIENTIANE, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The World Peace Committee of Indonesia has agreed to present the World Peace Gong to Laos as a country of peace, security and political stability for a long period of time.

The intention was made during the President of the World Peace Committee of Indonesia, Juyoto Santany, visited in Laos and called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith recently.

The world peace gong was found and originated in Moria mountain in Central Java (locally called as "peace"), the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao news agency (KPL) reported Friday.

It is assumed to date back to 450 years.

The world peace gong was first struck on 31 December, 2002, by an Indonesian president in Bali.

The second ring was made in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 5, 2003, by the United Nations Secretary General to mark the opening of the Second Global Summit on Peace.

The gong has also been used at the opening of important international events around the world.

Laos is the third country to receive the replica of the world peace gong from the World Peace Committee of Indonesia after China in 2004 and India in 2006.

The gong is two metres in diameter, made of bronze, weighing 150 kilogrammes.

It is expected to be presented to Laos in a formal ceremony in March.

At the cordial talks, Santany said that the presentation of the World Peace Gong was to appreciate Laos' contribution to the safeguarding of political stability and security in the region by promoting and strengthening friendly ties with neighbouring countries.

At the same time, Laos has also accomplished the national defence and construction, which ensures peace, security, political socio-economic stability in the country, and also strengthens the unity among its ethnic people and ensures the national development in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun expressed thanks to Santany and highly valued the delegation of the World Peace Committee of Indonesia that saw the Laos' advance and significant national development of the Lao Government over the past 30 years.

"Peace and stability may not be achieved if a country does not enjoy national unity and has no correct and fair foreign policy based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence," added the Lao Deputy Prime Minister.

Now Laos has maintained diplomatic relations with 126 countries worldwide, been members of various international organisations, and signed many international treaties considered as a great contribution to the maintenance of world peace.

-- BERNAMA