Meeting of the ASEAN-Russia: track towards becoming a strategic partner

Russia Summit to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two sides will be held on 19 and 20 May. The meeting will be held under the slogan 'Towards a strategic partnership to jointly benefit.

Meeting it will be an important platform to pave the way for strengthening cooperation in the fields of security, politics, economy, trade, culture, technology and energy, including troubleshooting together. Not only Russia's closeness with ASEAN make a stronger ASEAN, while ASEAN is seeking to establish strategic relationships and strengthen ties with The existing regional power.

Towards a strategic partnership to jointly benefit 'is the slogan for the ASEAN-Russia summit held in Sochi on 19 and 20 May to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and Russia. Summit jointly organized on the territory of Russia for the first time will present the 10 ASEAN Heads of Government and what the meeting was notable organized by more than 3 months after administration, Washington 10 ASEAN leaders invited to attend the US-ASEAN meeting in Rancho Mirage, California California. These meetings have proven of value to the region by powers and it will also help ASEAN stronger and more important role in the region. They also estimated that in the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Russia-ASEAN dialogue partners may raise the level of the contact into a strategic partnership, as ASEAN has been working with the United States in the US-ASEAN meeting last year in Malaysia.

1. The ASEAN states are optimistic about meeting the ASEAN-Russia

ASEAN leaders expect that this historic meeting will be the most important platform for further tighten friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and Russia double stronger in all areas.

Before the arrival of Indonesian President Jose Widodo (Jokowi), told the Russian news agency TASS that Indonesia expects the summit in Sochi will strengthen the relationship between Russia and ASEAN in the future as well. And not only that, it also promotes bilateral relations between Russia and Indonesia.

The Philippines also expects the summit to boost confidence-building between ASEAN and Russia, as well as pave the way for building a strategic partnership. According to the Russian Sputnik ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta explained that Russia and ASEAN have great potential, especially the building of a partnership between ASEAN and the EU economy Eurasia, as well as between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation organization as well. But he noted that the need to build confidence and trust. Therefore, all stakeholders have to work hard to overcome these barriers.

Back in Singapore again. The prime minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong has said he considers Russia as a superpower responsibilities and contribute in maintaining regional security and stability. He said so in an interview with the Russian news agency TASS ahead of the summit. Besides praising Russia also expects Russia ASEAN Summit potential of the bilateral relations, the ASEAN-Russia economic, political, cultural and social security will continue to grow steadily.

Back view US allies Thailand courts after the military seized power relations between Russia and Thailand also better. Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha happy when he Dmitry Medvedev visit to Thailand last year because it is clear from the recognition of the legitimacy of the government. And recently, the Thai government has also invited Putin to visit Thailand. Thailand sees Russia in a positive way, and expects the summit will bring vitality and strong relations between ASEAN and Russia, as well as Thailand and Russia .

The current Russia-ASEAN relationship has evolved rapidly forward and closer together. Russia has recently been in the framework of multi-level Meeting on behalf of the ASEAN's dialogue partners to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation and political and security. These meetings include the ASEAN Regional Forum, Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers plus dialogue partners, the meeting of the High Russian officials, committees cooperation including the ASEAN-Russia committee planning and management, including ASEAN-Russia dialogue and partnership financial fund ASEAN-Russia.

2. Russia and ASEAN ready to establish strategic partnership

A. Strengthening security cooperation

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia optimistic that ASEAN contributed to the strengthening of cooperation to address common security In particular, counter-terrorism, transnational crimes and extremist movements.

He explained that the topics on the agenda of the meeting and what he noted that it is important to improve the regional security system together and seek together to fight terrorism and extremist movements. Russia and Southeast Asian states are faced with the same security issues, especially the terrorist movement and it is an appropriate time for the parties debate to find solutions stakeholders to address security issues.

Regarding strengthening security cooperation, in late April, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russia ready to expand military ties with ASEAN . And he thinks that the strength of the defense relationship under the framework of ASEAN - Russia will maintain the common interests of the stakeholders and the entire Asia-Pacific region .

After all, the Russians looked to see the opportunity to become a supplier for its sophisticated weaponry in the region. Vietnam became Russia's biggest customer already, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, also intends to import weapons from Russia.

B. Strengthening the economic partnership and related sectors

And not only security cooperation, but Russia and ASEAN states see the progress of the ties of the two sides on a number of key sectors, economics, trade, technology and energy.

Regarding this issue, Putin has also said that the historic meeting between ASEAN and Russia, as well as the gateway to establish partnership between ASEAN and the EU economy Eurasia under Russia's leadership and partnership between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation organization Ohio. Among the 10 ASEAN countries, Vietnam has established trade agreements with the EU economy Eurasia first, and other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, etc. also shown interest in joining the economic bloc.

Moreover, the meeting will also provide the parties an opportunity to introduce new mechanisms to speed up the building of a strategic partnership based on strengthening the social, cultural and sealing sector. Recently, the Russian ASEAN established dialogue forum, including a focus on the renewable energy sector and to establish mechanisms to promote cooperation in education and agriculture. Parties are also ready to encourage inflows of Russian investors greater ASEAN region and organize the implementation of the policy public and private partnership, promoting shared or transfer of modern technology with Russia and ASEAN to develop transport and infrastructure facilities.