Brussels, 07/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The ninth ASEM summit on 5-6 November in Laos came to a close with the adoption by the leaders of its 49 member countries (Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland also attended the forum) with a declaration on strengthening their partnership for peace and development. The Declaration of Vientiane underlines the determination of leaders from ASEM countries to work towards promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity between the two continents and the rest of the world and to support its members in attaining the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The ASEM forum's 2012-2014 work programme, 2013 action programme and the Declaration of Vientiane are available at the summit website: http://www.asem9.la . (EH/transl.fl)