Russia, ASEAN countries jointly seek to foster partnership - Putin

KAZAN. June 17 (Interfax) - Russia and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stand for strengthening partnerships and expanding cooperation, for forming a fair world order, and safeguarding the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"The representative composition of the participants convincingly testifies to the mutual desire of Russia and the Southeast Asian states to foster partnership, bring it to a new, even more advanced level, and comprehensively step up mutually beneficial ties and contacts in politics and security, economy, trade and investment, cultural and humanitarian sectors," Putin said at a gala reception in honor of the heads of delegations participating in the Russia-ASEAN summit.

He expressed confidence that the current summit and the documents prepared for endorsement will contribute to the achievement of this comprehensive goal. "I am confident that we can look into the future with optimism, since cooperation between Russia and ASEAN is based on strong ties of friendship and mutual assistance, accumulated positive experience of partnership work," Putin added.

He mentioned that at one time the Soviet Union helped many peoples of Southeast Asia, provided support in building their statehood and laying the foundations of the economy, and reinforcing defense capabilities.

"And today, Russia and the ASEAN states together continue to develop and enhance the good traditions of mutually beneficial cooperation, working to deepen partnership ties. What is important is that we together advocate the formation of a fair system of the world order, and defend the principles of sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs," Putin said.

The Russian president said that Russia and the ASEAN states follow their own development model and do not impose their views on anyone. "And this, of course, is our strength. I would like to emphasize that Russia is willing to continue active joint work with the ASEAN member states in order to strengthen strategic partnership in the interests of ensuring security, well-being and prosperity of our countries and peoples, as well as the Eurasian region as a whole," Putin said.