ASEAN, Russia to strengthen strategic partnership

JAKARTA, 26 January 2021 – ASEAN and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their strategic partnership at the 17^th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials’ Meeting (ARSOM) held virtually, today.

The senior officials exchanged views on the developments in ASEAN and Russia, including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery. Both sides highlighted potential cooperation on research and development of the COVID-19 vaccine and medicine, exchange of experiences in addressing the pandemic, mitigating economic impact, and accelerating socio-economic recovery.

They reaffirmed the commitment towards the early finalisation of the new ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for the period of 2021-2025, to further deepen ASEAN-Russia cooperation over the next five years.

Both sides discussed ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, including; political and security; countering terrorism and transnational crime; economy; industry; science and technology; smart cities; disaster management; health; and people-to-people contacts.

The meeting also touched upon regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern, including regional security architecture. ASEAN appreciated Russia’s continued support for ASEAN centrality in ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the East Asia Summit.

Director-General for ASEAN Cooperation of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Morgulov co-chaired the 17^th ARSOM. ASEAN SOM Leaders, their representatives and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political Security Community, attended the meeting.

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Source: ASEAN Secretariat