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ASEAN — Russia summits

First ASEAN — Russia Summit

The first ASEAN — Russia Summit took place in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on 13 December 2005. ASEAN made a decision on its convocation at association's 10th Summit held in Laos in November 2004.

The first Summit was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen, President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Prime Minister of the  Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister of Malaysia  Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi,  Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Soe Win, President of the Republic of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, and Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Phan Văn Khải.

Participants in the summit discussed a broad range of economic and political cooperation issues. They also reviewed urgent international and regional issues, including North Korea's nuclear programme, developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, settlement in the Middle East and UN reform.

"The atmosphere of the summit was very good, businesslike. We thoroughly discussed international issues and settlement in the Middle East during the working breakfast," Mr Putin said during a press availability.

At the summit, the leaders of the participating states agreed to hold regular meetings and consultations on issues of mutual interest via ASEAN — Russia dialogue mechanisms, and to expand and deepen their cooperation and coordination at the United Nations. They adopted the Joint Declaration on Progressive and Comprehensive Partnership, which formalised their agreement to hold regular ASEAN — Russia summits, and the Comprehensive Programme of Action to Promote Cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in 2005-2015.

The heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of multilateral cooperation on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and common responsibility for promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Second ASEAN — Russia Summit

The second ASEAN — Russia Summit took place in Hanoi (Vietnam) on 30 October 2010. Russia was represented by President Dmitry Medvedev. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov also attended the summit.

In his welcoming address, Mr Medvedev said: "The successful construction of a new 'Asia-Pacific home' is in the interests of all countries involved, and chimes with their aspirations to develop a peaceful, productive life."

Mr Medvedev also noted that since the first ASEAN — Russia Summit five years ago, "we've established a sound legal framework and quite effective mechanisms for cooperation. Foreign and economic ministers meet regularly, as do senior officials and experts in various fields."

During the summit, the heads of state and government discussed the status and prospects of the ASEAN — Russia Dialogue Partnership, as well as ways of enhancing security in the Asia-Pacific Region. They paid much attention to joint efforts to overcome the financial crisis.

In turn, Mr Lavrov noted that at the summit the ASEAN countries displayed special interest in the nuclear power industry, considering Russia's vast experience in this area. He also said that the sides reviewed the development of cooperation in countering organised crime and drug trafficking.

At the second Summit, Russia and ASEAN reaffirmed their commitment to the consolidation and steady development of their comprehensive partnership with a view to raising their relations to a higher level. They adopted a joint statement reflecting their common approaches to security and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region, and mapped out the main areas for the development of their dialogue in the near future.