Jakarta, 5 July 2023 (TDI): In a gesture of goodwill and mutual cooperation, Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Michael Tene, welcomed the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to ASEAN, Evgeny Zagaynov, for a productive courtesy call at the ASEAN Secretariat on July 5.
The meeting aimed to explore avenues for further bolstering the dynamic dialogue relations between ASEAN and Russia.
The engagement between Deputy Secretary-General Tene and Ambassador Zagaynov served as a crucial platform to reaffirm the commitment of both ASEAN and Russia to strengthen their diplomatic ties.
During the discussion, the distinguished delegates thoroughly reviewed the recent advancements in ASEAN-Russia relations, acknowledging the significant strides made in fostering cooperation across various sectors.
Of particular importance was Russia’s steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality, a fundamental principle that underpins ASEAN’s role as the foremost leader, driver, and institutional hub of regional cooperation in the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Deputy Secretary-General Tene and Ambassador Zagaynov both expressed their satisfaction with the existing level of collaboration and explored potential avenues for further deepening cooperation.
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They highlighted the importance of continued engagement through regular dialogue mechanisms, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, culture, and education.
The productive meeting between Deputy Secretary-General Tene and Ambassador Zagaynov serves as a testament to the shared commitment of ASEAN and Russia to advancing their bilateral relationship.
As ASEAN continues to strengthen its ties with external partners, such engagements provide a solid foundation for the enhancement of regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
ASEAN and Russia have previously engaged at the 19th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials Meeting (ARSOM) held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 29, 2023.
The yearly gathering acknowledged the advancements achieved regarding the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) 2021-2025. This plan strives to accomplish mutually advantageous goals between ASEAN and Russia during the period from 2021 to 2025.
