Putin Pledges to Strengthen Russia–ASEAN Strategic Partnership

Kazan, — Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Russia’s readiness to further strengthen its strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying cooperation between the two sides is based on friendship, mutual assistance and respect for sovereignty.

Speaking at a formal reception in honour of the heads of delegations participating in the Russia–ASEAN Summit in Kazan, Putin said the summit was dedicated to the 35th anniversary of relations between Russia and ASEAN.

According to the Russian president, the summit brought together leaders, heads of government, senior politicians and statesmen from all 11 ASEAN countries. He said such a representative gathering demonstrated the mutual desire of Russia and Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their partnership, raise it to a new level and expand mutually beneficial ties across all areas.

Putin said cooperation between Russia and ASEAN covers politics and security, economy, trade and investment, culture, and humanitarian exchanges. He expressed confidence that the summit, along with the Kazan Declaration and the Joint Plan of Action prepared for approval, would contribute to achieving these goals.

The Russian president said Russia–ASEAN cooperation rests on strong bonds of friendship and mutual support, as well as the positive experience of partnership accumulated over many years.

Recalling historical ties, Putin said the Soviet Union had helped many peoples of Southeast Asia free themselves from the legacy of the colonial era, supported the development of their statehood and economic foundations, and contributed to strengthening their defence capabilities.

He also noted that tens of thousands of students from Southeast Asia had graduated from Russian higher education institutions. According to Putin, the knowledge and professional skills they gained as engineers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, economists and other specialists continue to bring practical benefits to their countries.

Putin said Russia and ASEAN countries are now continuing to develop and expand the good traditions of mutually beneficial cooperation while working to deepen their partnership.

He stressed that Russia and ASEAN nations stand together for the formation of a fair multipolar world and uphold the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs.

The Russian president said both Russia and ASEAN countries share common moral values, respect each other’s national identity and recognise the cultural and civilisational diversity of the world. He added that all states have the right to follow their own development models without imposing their views on others.

Putin described this approach as a strength of Russia–ASEAN relations.

He said Russia is ready to continue active joint work with ASEAN member states to strengthen the strategic partnership in the interests of security, well-being and prosperity of their countries and peoples, as well as the Eurasian region as a whole.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Putin proposed a toast to the health of the heads of delegations and participants, the further strengthening of the Russia–ASEAN strategic partnership, the development and prosperity of their countries, the happiness and well-being of their peoples, and the success of the anniversary summit.

The Kazan summit is being presented by Moscow as an important platform to take Russia–ASEAN relations to a new stage, with emphasis on multipolarity, sovereign equality, economic cooperation, cultural dialogue and regional stability.