Russia, ASEAN Build Strong Strategic Partnership Over 35 Years, Says Putin

From Nurul Hanis Izmir

KAZAN (Russia), June 18 (Bernama) -- Russia and ASEAN have built a robust strategic partnership over the past 35 years that now serves as an important stabilising role in the Asia Pacific amid geopolitical turbulence, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

He said both sides have established a solid legal and contractual framework as well as  an extensive network of joint mechanisms that have strengthened collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, digitalisation, science and technology, tourism, and humanitarian exchanges.

“The results of our cooperation are evident,” he said at the opening of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, held here to mark the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations.

Russia formally established relations with ASEAN in 1991 in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1996, it became a full ASEAN Dialogue Partner and the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2018, reflecting long-standing commitment to expanding cooperation in the political-security, economic and socio-cultural areas.

Putin emphasised that relations between Russia and ASEAN were based on universally recognised norms of international law and mutual interests.

"These principles form the foundation of Russia’s relations with ASEAN.

"They are characterised by a strategic partnership which, amid current geopolitical turbulence, serves as an important stabilising factor in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the development of a balanced security architecture and equal, mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.

Putin said the commemorative summit would be focusing on exchanging views on current regional and international issues, reviewing the results of Russia-ASEAN cooperation over the past 35 years, and discussing the future directions, goals and objectives of the strategic partnership.

The summit comes amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainties as both sides seek to expand cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, food and energy security, digital transformation, education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Russia views ASEAN as an important partner in its efforts to strengthen engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, while ASEAN regards Russia as a key dialogue partner with strengths in energy, technology, agriculture and higher education.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Philippine President who is current ASEAN Chair, Ferdinand Marcos Jr and their ASEAN counterparts attended the two-day Commemorative Summit.

-- BERNAMA