Foreign Ministry statement on the results of the Russia - ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The Russia - ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting co-chaired by the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Cambodia showed that the Russia - ASEAN strategic partnership is unaffected by the geopolitical environment. It is based on a firm foundation of similar or identical positions on key global and regional issues and mutual interest in promoting political dialogue, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, as well as historical traditions of friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples.
The ministers reaffirmed their aspiration to fulfil the agreements reached at the 4th Russia - ASEAN summit in October 2021, including the effective implementation of the comprehensive plan of action in 2021-2025.
The ASEAN countries welcomed Russia’s firm support for the Association’s central role in the regional architecture and unity of its states, and the active role of our country in ASEAN-centric mechanisms, including the East Asian Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum on security and the meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers and Dialogue Partners.
The participants discussed prospects for intensifying political dialogue at the high and highest levels. Both sides are convinced that this is particularly important in conditions of geopolitical turbulence and the growing trend towards a multi-polar world. Russia’s diverse cooperation with the ASEAN 10 objectively facilitates the consolidation of the regional architecture for security and sustainable development. Importantly, we are united by our firm commitment to create a more equitable and democratic multipolar world on the basis of international law, primarily the principles of the UN Charter.
The participants reaffirmed their plans to hold a second round of Russia-ASEAN consultations of senior security officials and the second dialogue on cybersecurity in the latter half of 2022.
They discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the defence ministers of Russia and the ASEAN countries and praised the first Russia - ASEAN naval exercises held in late November – early December 2021.
The meeting confirmed the shared goal of completing the coordination of the Russia-ASEAN plans on countering terrorism and transnational crime, on cybersecurity issues, as well as education and energy security with a view to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN. The ministers of ASEAN countries thanked their Russian counterparts for organising academic courses for ASEAN law-enforcement experts.
The participants expressed their intention to promote Russia - ASEAN economic cooperation by implementing the roadmap for trade and investment cooperation in 2021-2025 and the relevant working programme. They emphasised the importance of promoting interaction between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and ASEAN by implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and ASEAN on Economic Cooperation and the Programme for EEC - ASEAN Cooperation in 2021-2025.
The participants highlighted successes in implementing the programme of events of the Year of Russia - ASEAN Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 2022 and confirmed their mutual interest in continuing it.
The ministers welcomed a decision to raise consultations on tourism to the ministerial level and the adoption of the Russia - ASEAN working plan on tourism cooperation in 2022-2024.
The foreign ministers reviewed key global and regional issues, including developments related to Ukraine. The Russian side explained in detail the background of the situation and the reasons for launching the special military operation. The minister drew attention to the international context of the Ukrainian crisis – NATO’s failure to keep its promise not to expand to the east and the persistent efforts of the US and its European satellites to turn Ukraine into an anti-Russia bulwark. He noted the causes of the global food and energy crises, including the West’s myopic policy on these issues in recent years and the unlawful sanctions on Russia.
