KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — The Russia-Asean partnership plays a vital role in maintaining stability across the Asia-Pacific region, said Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
He noted that with the 35th anniversary of Russia-Asean relations approaching next year, the ties have significantly deepened over the years.
“Today it is safe to say that Asean is truly Russia’s reliable friend and like-minded partner,” he said in Russian during the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with Russia, on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings today.
An English translation was made available on Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website late on Thursday.
Lavrov added that Asean and Russia are united by their commitment to broad-based and equitable international cooperation, based on the United Nations Charter and the full set of interconnected principles outlined in the Charter.
“For our part, we consistently support the centrality of the 10 Asean countries in regional affairs,” he said.
The adoption of a new Russia-Asean policy paper for 2026-2030 is intended to advance these objectives.
“This document will outline current goals and priority areas of cooperation,” Lavrov said.
The minister is in the Malaysian capital to participate in the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with Russia, the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 32nd Asean Regional Forum (ARF), from July 8 to July 11.
The ongoing 58th AMM and related meetings are being held under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.
Russia established relations with Asean in 1991 and became a full-fledged dialogue partner in 1996. In 2018, the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership.
— Bernama
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