On December 22, a Foreign Ministry Collegium meeting took place that focused on Russia’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member countries.

In the context of the 20^th anniversary of the Russian-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership, which will be observed in 2016, the meeting addressed the status and prospects for the development of cooperation with the ten member countries in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as preparations for the anniversary Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi next May.

The Collegium has reaffirmed that close contact with the Association, which is building a highly integrated ASEAN Economic Community and has put in place various integration mechanisms and dialogue forums with the participation of the world’s leading nations, is key in consolidating Russia’s positions in the Asia Pacific Region and joining regional integration processes in the interest of providing a favourable external environment for the country’s social and economic development, a goal that has been set, among others, by the Russian President.

The meeting noted the importance of mobilising collective efforts to build in the Asia Pacific Region a balanced architecture of equal and undivided security based on strict compliance with the rules of international law, primarily the UN Charter, mutual confidence, principles of peaceful adjudication of disputes, non-use of force or threats of force. It underscored the importance of intensifying collaboration in facing both traditional and new challenges and threats, primarily terrorism and extremism, which pose a serious threat to Russia and Southeast Asian nations.

In the economic sphere, special attention was given to expanding trade and investment with ASEAN member countries and prospects for launching joint high-tech projects with the participation of business circles.

The Collegium stressed the need to develop humanitarian and cultural ties while also establishing regular academic and youth contacts with Association member states. It noted the importance of the Bilateral Year of Russian and ASEAN Culture in 2016 in deepening mutual understanding between our nations.

The meeting also resulted in clear recommendations regarding practical steps that the Foreign Ministry can take to ensure the successful organisation of the Sochi summit and the consistent expansion of the multifaceted dialogue with ASEAN and its member states.