Asian and European leaders assembled Monday in Vientiane, Laos,
for a summit that will largely focus on the global economy.
The importance of the two-day summit in the tiny landlocked Asian
nation was evidenced by the fact that it attracted leaders of about 50
countries from the two continents.
The Russian delegation is headed by prime minister Dmitry Medvedev.
The participants in the forum will discuss matters concerning
financial and economic cooperation, interaction in the social and cultural
sphjeres and regional policies. The main subjects of discussion at the ACEM
summit include efforts to combat terrorism and sea piracy; sustainable
development, the overcoming of the consequences of the global
financial downturn; reduction of poverty and the migration issue.
As a result of the summit, the participants are to adopt an ACEM
Chairman Statement and a Vientiane Declaration on Strengthening
Partnership for Peace and Development. The document is to reflect
coordinated positions on key matters aimed at ensuring global
security, and set out a common vision of versatile interaction between
Europe and Asia.
In addition, Medvedev is to meet with President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone
and Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. According to a government
source, considerable attention is to be devoted to trade-and-economic
and investment cooperation, specifically the promotion of Russian
projects in the fields of railways, telecommunications, the mining of
economic minerals and hydropower engineering. The sides will also
discuss the intention of Laos to purchase Russian "Sukhoi
Superjet" airliners.
