Hanoi  - The ninth Asia and Europe foreign ministers' meeting in Hanoi on May 25-26 will focus on the global economic slowdown, the chairman of Vietnam's ASEM committee said Thursday.

"Normally it is not necessary for an ASEM foreign ministers' meeting to have a theme," Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Doan Xuan Hung told a press conference Thursday.

But due to the global economic situation, Hung said Vietnam had proposed this year's meeting focus on the topic "forging a closer Asia - Europe partnership to address the financial and economic crisis and other global challenges."

ASEM includes 45 member countries, 17 from Asia and 28 from Europe. Hung said nearly 30 foreign ministers have confirmed their attendance, with other states sending lower-ranking officials.

Some 500 other participants, including government officials and business people, are also expected to attend.

Besides the economic situation, participants will address climate change, energy, food security, and internal ASEM organizational issues.

In addition to the foreign ministers' meeting, ASEM will sponsor an Asia-Europe Journalists' Seminar on May 23-24.(dpa)