Medvedev: Asia-Pacific may serve as example of comprehensive, open security architecture
ULAANBAATAR. July 16 (Interfax) - In terms of cooperation and integration, the Asia-Pacific region has every chance to serve as an example for other regions, where a bloc mentality is still prevalent, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
"We believe Asia-Pacific has every chance today to serve as an example for other regions, including those where Cold War remnants have still not been eradicated and where bloc mentality prevails. Russia invariably proceeds from the strategic commonness of goals with all of its partners both in the Euro-Atlantic region and in Asia-Pacific in maintaining peace and stability and opposing common threats to security," Medvedev said at a plenary session of an Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in a narrow format in Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar on Saturday.
The region requires a system of interstate relations ensuring sustainable growth and extensive promotion of trade-economic and investment cooperation, he said.
"We are convinced that such architecture can be built only if it rests on the principles of equitable and indivisible security, respect for international law norms, a peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts, non-use of force or a threat to use force, and rejection of any actions or support of actions aimed at overthrowing governments or undermining other states' stability," he said.
Russia once invited Europe to develop a treaty on European security based on this approach, and this idea was embraced by some countries, but the European partners still could not reach a consensus regarding its implementation at the time, he said.
"Asia-Pacific has moved further in this regard: a dialogue on forming a reliable, comprehensive and open security architecture in the region has been held within the East Asia Summit at Russia's initiative since 2013. The nascent process has been supported by all partners. To set up such a system, the region has both reference points, primarily in the form of multilateral mechanisms forming around ASEAN, and legal basis elements," Medvedev said.
Talking about cooperation in the economic field, Medvedev said it was too early to predict an effect from the conclusion of new trust agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"However, it is important not to allow the emergence of new dividing lines and attempts to substitute for the WTO's universal norms and to embed various deterrence and confrontation mechanisms in economic agreements. The need for consolidating efforts to look for common efficient responses to the existing and potential challenges is obvious against this background," he said.