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Author : Sergey Lavrov
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
AT PRESENT, the Asia-Pacific Region shows highly
dynamic development rates, confidently asserting itself
as a global economic engine and increasing its weight
also in the political sphere. Obviously, the role of the
Asia-Pacific Region in building a global polycentric ar-
chitecture will continue to grow.
This year, the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership
will be 20 years old. Over the past two decades, a solid
legal framework has been laid for cooperation and a
diversified network of working bodies, including high-
level bodies, has been put in place. This interaction is high on the list of Russia's and ASEAN coun-
tries' key foreign policy priorities. What's more, it has become a major component of regional
architecture. Today, Russia is an active participant in East Asia Summits (EAS), the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM), as well as the ADMM-Plus,
a platform for ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners.
The focus on practical results and natural interest in each other is a key to the successful development
of Russia-ASEAN relations. Russia-ASEAN ties come from reality and are based on a solid historical
foundation.
Our common goal is to build a truly comprehensive multi-level strategic partnership. The upcoming
Russia-ASEAN summit, which is due to take place on May 19 and 20, is designed to set our dialogue
on a straight path towards this goal. This summit meeting, the third, will be the first to take place
on our country's territory, in Sochi. It will become a major event of the anniversary year.
Strengthening regional security is an important priority in our joint work. Back in 2010, the Joint
Statement of the Second Russia-ASEAN Summit in Hanoi said that such security should be indi-
visible and equal for all.
We and ASEAN have a common understanding of the need to ensure a truly strategic balance and
stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and work together in search for a response to the current chal-
lenges and threats.
Russia is committed to expanding trade and economic ties with ASEAN. In the past five years, our
trade turnover has doubled.
The close and wide-ranging cooperation between Russia and ASEAN is geared to the future. Its
participants are committed to the consistent implementation of large-scale tasks for the benefit of
their nations, in the interest of strengthening global and regional stability and building a more eq-
uitable and fair system of international relations.
I am confident that the Sochi summit will become an important landmark along this path, open a
new stage in the development of the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership and provide a strong
impulse to the further deepening of the entire complex of relations between our countries.
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Russia and ASEAN: New Facets of a 20-Year Partnership