Laos is well prepared to host the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9), which is scheduled to take place on November 5-6 in the capital Vientiane , Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has said.

Infrastructures for the event, such as meeting venues, accommodation, a press center as well as security and health care services were in place, said FM Thongloun Sisoulith at a press briefing on October 23.

Themed “Friendship for Peace, Partnership for Prosperity”, Asian and European leaders are expected to discuss regional and international issues of concern, including food and energy security, sustainable development, financial and social crisis, climate change, natural disaster adaptation, socio-cultural cooperation and future cooperative orientations for ASEM, Thongloun Sisoulith elaborated.

The meeting is expected to issue two important documents, namely the ASEM 9 Chair’s Statement and the Vientiane Declaration on Strengthening Friendship for Peace and Development, the diplomat added.

It will see the admission of three new members to ASEM, namely Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland.

The Heads of State and Government of 50 ASEM members out of 51 have so far confirmed to attend the meeting, the biggest international event ever hosted by Vientiane .

As many as 400 foreign reporters have registered to cover the event.-VNA