ASEAN, Russia want to upgrade relations

VGP – The 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit reached a joint statement confirming the determination to place the bilateral relationship on a new plane.

October 30, 2010 8:17 PM GMT+7

The 2^nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, Hà Nội, October 30, 2010 - Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

At the 2^nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, held in Hà Nội on Saturday, leaders reviewed the cooperation over the past time and discussed measures to promote the partnership.

The two sides have made great efforts to implement the ASEAN-Russia Joint Statement and the Action Program as well as expand bilateral cooperation to new domains, such as science, culture, energy, natural disasters control, counter-terrorism and combating trans-national crimes.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating the ASEAN-Russia comprehensive and progressive partnership, strengthening the existing dialogue mechanisms and upgrading the relationship.

Russian Presient Dmitry Medvedev at the 2^nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, Hà Nội, October 30, 2010 - Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

ASEAN and Russia pledged to maintain the operation of the ASEAN-Russia Fund for External Partners and the ASEAN Center in Moscow, boost economic and trade cooperation, and negotiate for the establishment of the ASEAN-Russia Free Trade Area.

ASEAN supports Russia’s participation in the related regional forums, including the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ).

On the occasion, Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and Russia singed an agreement on cultural cooperation.

By Xuân Hồng