Laos steps up preparations for Asia-Europe meeting
The sub-committees responsible for the 7th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP 7) have been told to accelerate their preparatory works for the conference, which will be held in Vientiane from October 3 to 4.
National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathortou made the call yesterday during a meeting with the ASEP 7 sub-committee representatives regarding the progress of preparations.
Ms Pany Yathortou speaks at yesterday's meeting.
She said that with only six months remaining before the ASEP 7, time is running out so she called on the units under the various sub-committees to urgently complete their action plans. “The work which remains to be completed should be carried out efficiently and effectively,” she said.
Regarding budget, Ms Pany called for it to be centralised and implemented under the same principles as the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM 9).
She suggested that funding not be mobilised from the public, but that contributions from voluntary sponsors should be welcomed.
The 7th ASEP, under the main theme ‘The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and Europe’, will be an important event in the lead up to ASEM 9, with 46 delegations from Europe and Asia planning to attend.
ASEP 7 participants will discuss amendments to the meeting’s joint declaration, as well as ways to strengthen the economic cooperation between Asia and Europe and expand cooperation regarding cultural, social and environmental sectors. As Laos is a member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, French translation at the ASEP 7 is also under consideration. The last ASEP was held in Brussels, Belgium, in September 2010.
