Participation of President Benigno S. Aquino III
at the 9th Asia Europe Meeting
Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
4-6 November 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III headed to Lao People’s Democratic Republic and participated in the 9th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) from 4-6 November 2012. The theme for the ASEM 9 Summit is “Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity.”
The Philippines is among the 48 ASEM partners composed of 27 European Union Member States, the European Commission, 19 Asian countries and the ASEAN Secretariat that took part in the two-day Summit.
Among the agenda in the ASEM 9 Summit are regional and international issues of common interest and concern, such as food and energy security, sustainable development, financial and economic crisis, climate change, natural disaster response, socio-cultural cooperation and future direction of ASEM.
The ASEM is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation and places great emphasis on equal partnership, favoring general process of dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. This way, it complements rather than duplicates the work already being carried out in bilateral and multilateral fora.
While in Lao PDR, President Aquino also met with the Filipino community composed mostly of professionals – teachers, nurses, engineers, accountants, office and hotel employees.
* * *
Activities in Vientiane, Lao PDR and the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting
 Closing Ceremony |
|
 Bilateral Meeting w/ Italy |
 Plenary Session II |
 Coffee Meeting w/ Phil. Media |
 Gala Dinner |
 Plenary Session I |
 Bilateral Meeting w/ Japan |
 Opening Ceremony of the 9th ASEM Summit |
 Arrival At National Convention Center |
 Trilateral w/ European Council Pres. and Comm. Pres. |
 Bilateral Meeting w/ Swiss Confederation |
 Bilateral Meeting w/ Norway |
 Mtg. w/ the Filipino Community (Speech) |
 Mtg. w/ the Filipino Community |
 Arrival at Wattay International Airport |