VIENTIANE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) promised to continue efforts to advance peace, stability and development in the region as their foreign ministers gathered in Vientiane for regional meetings on Sunday.
Foreign ministers from the 10-member bloc for the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) were welcomed by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, who called for "frank and constructive discussions" between member states and partners, "contributing to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world."
Thongloun identified a range of traditional and non-traditional security challenges including extremism and terrorism, natural disasters and climate change, refugee issues and human trafficking as well as economic developments including the recent "Brexit" as requiring close attention of the ministers.
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