Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership to help promote dialogue - envoy

SINGAPORE, November 14. /TASS/. Dialogue between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) at the level of strategic partnership will give a fresh impetus to political and economic relations between them, Russian Ambassador to ASEAN Alexander Ivanov told reporters on Wednesday. According to the diplomat, the leaders of Russia and ASEAN signed a joint statement on strategic partnership at the summit in Singapore. "Achieving a strategic partnership is currently the cornerstone of our relations, which will be based at the top level. That will provide a strong impetus to the development of relations in general," Ivanov said. "Reaching a strategic partnership level in our relations with ASEAN will give a boost to our relations in three spheres, that is, politics and security, trade and economy and the humanitarian sphere," he added. The diplomat noted that Russia and ASEAN had achieved tangible results in the aforementioned areas over the past two years. The economy and culture ministers meet on a regular basis, while the law enforcement agencies cooperate within a specialized working group, Ivanov noted. Read more