Canberra
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will travel to Laos and Indonesia from 4 to 9 November to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting in Vientiane and the 5th Bali Democracy Forum in Bali.
Australia was invited to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting for the first time in 2010.
The Prime Minister's visit to Vientiane for her second ASEM summit underscores the importance we attach to high-level engagement with Asian and European partners.
It is an opportunity for leaders to discuss strategic and economic issues, including cooperation and coordination to strengthen global financial architecture. The Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders at the summit to discuss their priorities and objectives in the region.
The Prime Minister is also pleased to accept a personal invitation from President Yudhoyono to co-chair the Bali Democracy Forum on 8 November.
Australia has welcomed and supported Indonesia's evolution into a strong and vibrant democracy, and greatly values the constructive leadership role that our close neighbourplays in the region and beyond.
The Forum, which Australia has supported since its inception in 2008, is a key inter-governmental meeting for advancing democratic reform.
While in Vientiane and Bali, the Prime Minister will hold a series of meetings with international leaders.