Диалог Россия-АСЕАН
Russia actively develops cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN–Russia Dialogue Partnership. Over the past period, significant progress has been made in all areas of ASEAN-Russian relations. A solid legal framework, as well as a number efficient joint mechanisms have been established.
The major event of the Anniversary year was ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit held on May 19-20 in Sochi – the first high-level meeting in the history of our relations hosted in Russia. ASEAN and Russian Leaders summarized the achievements and agreed upon the plans to elevate relations to Strategic Partnership. As the outcomes of the Summit the Sochi Declaration and Comprehensive Plan of Action to Promote Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Russian Federation (2016-2020) were adopted. Russia and ASEAN also presented in Sochi the Report of the joint Eminent Persons Group comprising the future concept vision of ASEAN-Russia partnership and practical recommendations of its development for middle- and long-term perspective.
Major importance is attached to promoting political and security collaboration focused on the issues of forming an equal, balanced and transparent system of interstate relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia consistently support strengthening of the central role of ASEAN in regional affairs, strives to deepen the coordination with the Association within EAS, ARF, ADMM Plus and other multilateral mechanisms. In practical terms, an important strand of joint efforts, including in the framework of the ASEANAPOL, is countering global threats and challenges such as international terrorism, transnational crime, illicit drug trafficking, illegal migration and human trafficking in Asia-Pacific.
Deepening trade, investment and economic cooperation remains a constant priority of ASEAN–Russia partnership. By 2014 the total trade turnover between Russia and ASEAN reached $22,5 bln. (according to 2015 statistics it reduced to $13,7 bln.). The range of practical cooperation areas is steadily widening as a result of step-by-step implementation of the relevant “Roadmap”. Russia is aimed at enhancing scientific and technical contacts, first and foremost in such innovative fields as energy sector, information and communication technologies and space. We are willing to contribute to improving the regional transport system with an emphasis on establishing reliable logistics chains which would promote the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
Russia-ASEAN Business Forum within the program of Sochi Summit proved to be the biggest in Russia-ASEAN partnership’ history and played an important role in deepening mutually beneficial contacts between business circles. The outcome of this event provide opportunity for better exploiting investment potential of Russian-ASEAN relations, including in favor of social and economic development of such Russian regions as Siberia and the Far East, and narrowing the development gap within ASEAN.
Cultural, tourist, educational and other humanitarian exchanges with ASEAN are growing. A new impetus to these ties is being given by major joint events including organized on the sidelines of the Sochi Summit ASEAN-Russian Art Festival, as well as forthcoming University Forum in Vladivostok and regular ASEAN–Russia Youth Summit in Cambodia. 2016 is the ASEAN–Russia Year of Culture.