The ASEAN – Russia Eminent Persons Group prepares report on prospects for their dialogue partnership

On 6-7 April, the ASEAN — Russia Eminent Persons Group (AREPG) held its third meeting at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University). The participants prepared and coordinated a report with recommendations on the prospects of further cooperation between ASEAN and Russia.

The report, which will be presented at the ASEAN — Russia Commemorative Summit on 19-20 May in Sochi, reviews the ASEAN — Russia Dialogue Partnership over the past 20 years and offers practical proposals for its further development.

The meeting in Moscow concluded the latest period in the group's work that lasted from January to April 2016. It was attended by delegations from Russia and ASEAN member states and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. The group has held three meetings during this period, in Laos, Cambodia and Russia.

The ASEAN traditionally convenes meetings of eminent persons when the member states need to consider important events in the ASEAN development, or its relations with large dialogue partners, in a balanced and objective manner.