Russia-ASEAN summit declaration to reflect task of taking partnership to new level - Putin
SOCHI. May 19 (Interfax) - The task of taking the partnership between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a whole new strategic level will be reflected in their final declaration at the Russia-ASEAN jubilee summit in Sochi, on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Speaking at a reception in honor of the heads of the delegations attending the summit, Putin said: "This will enable us to use more efficiently the available potential for increasing our cooperation in the political, economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres and, of course, on regional and international security issues."
Putin welcomed the fact that Russia and the ASEAN nations "seek to strengthen integration and are in favor of combining the economic projects being implemented across the Asia-Pacific region."
"Tomorrow we will discuss prospects for setting up a broad trans-border partnership that would involve the Eurasian Union, the ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," the president said.
He confirmed that Russia is ready for such joint work, and raised a toast "for the welfare of all our people, for continuation of a close and productive cooperation between Russia and the ASEAN countries."
