[International] Putin Meets ASEAN Leaders in Kazan, Seeking to Strengthen Business Ties with ASEAN

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the 17th, in a move aimed at strengthening commercial and other ties between Russia and countries in the region. The two-day meeting in Kazan was aimed at exploring ways to expand the "strategic partnership" between Russia and ASEAN countries, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs advisor. ASEAN has maintained its relationship with Moscow as a "dialogue partner" and holds annual high-level meetings with Russian officials. The summit in Kazan on the banks of the Volga River marks 35 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and ASEAN. In a welcoming address at a business forum held on the sidelines of the summit, Putin expressed confidence that it would "create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, while strengthening direct dialogue between our business communities." The agenda includes an exchange of views on global and regional issues and a review of efforts to develop Russia-ASEAN relations, Ushakov said. He emphasized that participants would reaffirm their commitment to "building a just, democratic multipolar world order based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter." Ushakov praised what he called the "productive, equal, and constructive dialogue" between Russia and ASEAN. Putin will hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders during the summit, he told reporters. The summit is co-chaired by Putin and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. During a bilateral meeting with Marcos Jr., Putin noted that the two countries "have developed mutually beneficial cooperation based on good traditions, mutual respect, and consideration for each other's legitimate interests." Marcos Jr. thanked Putin for organizing the Russia-ASEAN meeting in Kazan and invited him to attend the ASEAN summit in Manila in November. Putin also held meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking at a formal reception for heads of delegations on the evening of the 17th, Putin stated that Russia and ASEAN countries "are united in their commitment to building a just world order and upholding the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs." "All of us are following our own development models and not imposing our views on anyone. That is our strength," Putin said. "Russia is ready to continue active cooperation with ASEAN member states to strengthen our strategic partnership and maintain the security, well-being, and prosperity of our countries and peoples, and the entire Eurasian region." Another bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit was with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on the 16th. Putin praised the "stable development" of Russia-Turkey relations, describing contacts between the two countries as "truly friendly and full of new meaning." Fidan, for his part, said there were several issues to discuss. ASEAN member states vary, with some, like the Philippines, seen as having close ties with the United States, while others have close trade and security links with China and Russia. With global oil prices soaring amid the war in Iran, several ASEAN members, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, have either imported Russian crude oil or expressed interest in purchasing it. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)