(VOVworld) - The 13th Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF-13) closed in Vientiane, Laos, on Monday after 2 days. Themed “Caring for the Earth for Sustainable Economic and Business in Asia and Europe”, the two-day forum discussed the current trends and the future of economic and business ties between Asia and Europe. They also debated prospects for growth in both continents, effective state policies and facilitating trade and investment on in the two regions. Also on the agenda was financial access, challenges on environment, food and energy security, and the sustainable management of natural resources, markets. The links between Europe and Asian sub-regions with the Mekong Greater Sub-region was also focused on. The Presidential Statement released at the closing ceremony called for parties involved to strengthen cooperation to for sustainable development in the two continents and the world at large as the global economy is still dealing with consequences of the 2008 global financial crisis.