Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kazan on Wednesday, marking the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations.
Kremlin Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov said the two-day meeting aimed to consider ways to expand Russia’s “strategic partnership” with ASEAN nations consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam.
Ushakov added that the alliance has maintained relations with Russia as a “dialogue partner” and engaged with the country’s officials in annual top-level meetings.
He also said the agenda included exchanging views on global and regional issues and reviewing efforts to develop Russian-ASEAN ties. He told reporters Putin would have bilateral discussions with ASEAN leaders during the event.
Putin said in a business forum held on the sidelines of the summit that he was confident it will “create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, while also strengthening direct dialogue between our business communities”.
The Russia-ASEAN summit will be co-chaired by Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the President of Philippines, which currently holds the regional bloc’s rotating presidency.
While opening a bilateral meeting with Marcos, Putin highlighted their countries’ “mutually beneficial cooperation built on good traditions, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s legitimate interests.”
Marcos expressed his gratitude towards the Russian President for organising the event and invited him to the ASEAN summit in Manila in November.
Putin also had discussions with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He hosted a formal reception for the heads of the delegation on Wednesday evening, declaring Russia and the ASEAN nations “jointly stand for forming a just world order, defend the principles of sovereign equality of states, (of) non-interference into internal affairs.”
“All our states follow their own models of development and don’t impose their views on anyone. And this is, indeed, our strength,” said Putin “Russia is ready for continuing active joint work with ASEAN member states with the goal of strengthening strategic partnership, in the interests of ensuring security, well-being and prosperity of our countries and peoples, as well as the Eurasian region as a whole.”
