Leaders of ASEAN and Russia attend the commemorative summit last October. (Photo: VNA) Moscow (VNA) – The ASEAN-Russia strategicpartnership is hoped to be lifted to a new height, Russian Foreign MinistrySpokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a regular press briefing in Moscow onFebruary 9.
Commenting on the launch of the ASEAN-Russia Year ofScience-Technology and Industrial Cooperation slated for February 14, sheunderlined that the Russian side proposed the holding of the event during theASEAN-Russia commemorative summit last year on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of the bilateral relations.
Cooperation projects will be in the fields of innovation,high technology and in-depth knowledge. The implementation of the programmes isexpected to strengthen existing cooperation in the fields and bring thebilateral strategic partnership to a new height, the official said.
The opening ceremony will be held via videoconference withthe participation of high-ranking officials of the Russian Ministry of Scienceand Higher Education and relevant agencies of ASEAN member countries.
At the pressbriefing, Zakharova informed participants of the upcoming meeting between Russian Ministerof Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and members of the ASEAN Moscow Committee,including ambassadors of ASEAN nations.
The event isscheduled to take place on February 17, with a focus on the implementation of the decisions made during the ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit in last October.
Officials willdiscuss measures to enhance the strategic partnership in politics, trade,economy and culture.
The Russian sideplaced importance on joint efforts in response to current challenges andthreats, the spokesperson said, adding that delegates will touch upon currentinternational and regional issues, particularly bolstering ASEAN’s central rolein Asia-Pacific.
In late January, speaking before the State Duma deputies,Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov affirmed that the European nation is keen toexpand interactions with most of partners in Asia-Pacific, notably ASEAN.
He remarked thatcooperation with the organisation enjoys rapid development, and voice his support for ASEAN’sleading role in addressing current crisis in Myanmar./.
