Russia and ASEAN Dialogue Partnership

Russia and ASEAN, whose relations were established back in 1991, have a long history of successful interaction and cooperation. In 1996, Russia became a full-fledged dialogue partner of ASEAN. In 2018, dialogue relations were elevated to the level of strategic partnership.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (right) welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov.

For more than half a century ASEAN has acquired a reputation of a highly respected multilateral organisation, one of the centers in the emerging multipolar world order, the core of the regional integration processes. We share the commitment of the Association to the principles of equal interaction and harmonious coexistence of all members of the international community, no matter what differences in government or economic structures they may have.
It is extremely important for ASEAN to stay away from bloc confrontation and to maintain its status as the backbone of the inclusive, balanced and transparent regional architecture. Russia stands for effective practical cooperation on the ASEAN-centered platforms based on the principles of equality and consensus, where each voice is heard. That is why the Russia-ASEAN dialogue today is a significant factor contributing to security and stability in the Asia Pacific.
A solid legal framework and an extensive network of cooperation mechanisms help to successfully reach the goals set in the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Actions adopted by the Leaders of Russia and ASEAN countries in 2021. Russian legislators take part in the meetings of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. We highly appreciate the decision of the AIPA, as well as a number of ASEAN countries, to send observers to the presidential elections in Russia.
The matter of our particular attention is the expansion of trade and economic ties with ASEAN countries. Russia is an attractive and reliable partner for ASEAN. There are solid criteria and facts to prove that. We have entered 2024 with a stable financial system, historically low unemployment and minimal budget deficits. In 2023, we achieved GDP growth of 3,6 percent – above the world average.
Russia could share the benefits of its unique natural resource potential with the Southeast Asian partners, especially when it comes to regional food and energy security. These problems have come to the spotlight given the complications in the global economy.
Our country is a responsible supplier of agricultural products and fertilisers which are delivered mainly to Asia (60 percent) and Africa (30 percent). Our efforts to increase exports, have a positive impact on global markets. We will consider taking additional steps in this area together with our ASEAN partners within the framework of the annual ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials’ Meetings on Agriculture.

The ASEAN-Russia Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation approved in June 2023 gave additional impetus for collaboration with special attention to renewable, nuclear and low-carbon energy. Last August we had a detailed discussion on practical steps to further implement this Plan of Action at the East Asia Summit Energy Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum in Jakarta. Another convenient platform to promote our ties in energy is the annual Russian Energy Week in Moscow, which is traditionally attended by the high-level delegation of ASEAN Energy Center, as well as representatives of different agencies from the Southeast Asian states.
Russian scientists shared their know-hows in biotechnology, food security, environmental protection, microelectronics, as well as the use of space technologies, renewable and nuclear energy with colleagues from ASEAN Member States at ASEAN-Russia Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation. We attach great importance to the approval given by ASEAN Digital Senior Officials to Russia’s application to become ASEAN Digital Partner last January. We are confident that this will bring our cooperation in this area to new horizons.
The Russian Federation, as a country with highly developed telecommunications infrastructure and e-government service provision system, seeks to expand the geography of its cooperation in the ICT field. In this regard, work within the dialogue partnership has intensified. This format allows for regular exchange of best practices on the implementation of advanced solutions for the population of Southeast Asian countries and continuing integration process with ASEAN to intensify cooperation, including in multilateral formats.
Moreover, our country was one of the first to promote “phygital” sport which combines classical sport and its digital analogue. The Russian city of Kazan hosted the first “Games of the Future” international championship on 21 February - 3 March 2024. More than 2 thousand representatives from 107 countries, took part in this event. There were 21 disciplines including football, hockey, basketball, drone racing, battle of robots, programming as well as laser tag, Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang favoured by the youth.
Another promising area where we can interlink our efforts is the Smart Cities. In October 2023 St. Petersburg hosted ASEAN-Russia Conference on Smart Cities held on the sidelines of the 3rd World Construction Championship.
We are also interested in reviving youth agenda in our dialogue with ASEAN. This March, we had a successful ASEAN-Russia Young Diplomats’ Summit on the margins of the World Youth Festival in Sochi.
Bilateral interaction with our ASEAN partners maintains its intensity in various areas of mutual interest including trade, investment, defence and security, education, culture and tourists exchanges. And certainly one of our long-standing, time-tested and most trusted partners in ASEAN is Laos. Thanks to our joint resolute efforts, Russian-Lao trade and economic, military-technical, scientific, educational and cultural cooperation received a new positive impact.
Concluding I would like to use this opportunity to convey sincere congratulations to all the readers of “Vientiane Times” good health, prosperity and well-being.
About the author: Vladimir Kalinin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Lao PDR.

 (Latest Update October 11, 2024)