ASEAN officials on the weekend finalised draft documents for the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and related summits scheduled to take place back-to-back from September 6-8 in Vientiane.
On Saturday, permanent representatives of the 10 ASEAN member countries met at their 14th meeting with discussion focused on finalising drafted outcome documents of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting and the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and related summits.
Yesterday, the ASEAN officials also met for drafting the summits’ outcome documents. Today, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Preparatory Meeting will also be convened to finalise arrangements for the summits.
Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting Leader of Laos, Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun announced on Friday that Laos was ready to play the role of ASEAN chair and host the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and related summits.
He confirmed that preparations including arrangements for security, accommodation, food and transport, and all other facilities were well organised.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ASEAN Department Director General Mr. Phongsavanh Sisoulath told Vientiane Times recently that around 5,000 people were expected to come to Laos during the Summits. These were leaders, official delegates, media personnel and business leaders.
During the 3-day summits, Prime Minister Thongloun as the chair of Lao ASEAN Chairmanship this year, will host and chair at least 11 summits.
The 28th ASEAN Summit will discuss ASEAN Community building efforts especially the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the way forward, while the 29th ASEAN Summit will focus discussion on ASEAN’s external relations and future direction as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern.
The ASEAN+1 Summits will review cooperation, discuss future directions and exchange views on regional and international issues.
The 19th ASEAN Plus Three (China-Japan-Republic of Korea) Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit, a forum of Leaders from 18 countries (10 ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and United States) will review and discuss the future direction of cooperation with ASEAN as well as exchange views on regional and international issues.
Over 1,000 foreign media personnel from 256 international media organisations have registered to cover the summits, officials in charge have confirmed.
Source: Vientiane Times
