ASEM Senior Officials Meeting in Vientiane
On the morning of November 2, the ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting (ASEM SOM) opened at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, under the chairmanship of Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the ASEM Senior Officials' Delegation of Laos.
ASEM Senior Officials and delegates from 52 ASEM members attended the conference.
Overview of the conference. (Source: Hoang Chuong/Vietnam+)
Taking place on November 2 and 3, this ASEM SOM conference aims to prepare for the 9th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM 9) which will take place on November 5 and 6, 2012 in the capital Vientiane.
Delegates focused on discussing the content of two important documents of ASEM 9: the Draft Vientiane Declaration on strengthening partnership for peace and development and the Draft Statement of the Chairman of ASEM 9 and other issues such as reception, agenda of ASEM leaders...
According to the agenda, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong will chair the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit and Lao President Choummaly Sayasone will deliver the opening speech.
Delegates attending the ASEM SOM said that taking place in the context of the two continents and the world facing mixed challenges and advantages, especially the world economic recovery still facing many difficulties, besides the impact of climate change, food security, religious conflicts... are not small issues that countries are concerned about, so increasing cooperation, dialogue, maintaining peace and stability in the two continents will be the priority issues at this 9th ASEM summit.
The admission of three new members, Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland, at this conference has affirmed ASEM's increasingly open and solid position and cooperation potential.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak sincerely thanked the heads of ASEM senior officials and guests for accepting the invitation to attend the conference and affirmed that Laos will do its utmost to make the conference a success, together with Asian and European countries to build ASEM increasingly strong, stable and prosperous./.
According to (Vietnam+) - DT
