On the threshold of an ASEAN-Russia summit, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared Russian interest in tapping ASEAN potential to develop its Siberian and Far East economies.

The Russian leader’s statement was published by International Activities Magazine in Russia on October 28 before he departs for the summit scheduled to take place in Hanoi on October 30.

Medvedev described the upcoming summit as an important contribution to the comprehensive relations between the two sides.

“The effective dialogue partnership system between ASEAN and individual countries as well as international organisations is contributing to expanding cooperation and guaranteeing security in Asia and the Pacific,” emphasised the Russian President.

He was quoted by the Russian magazine as saying that Russia attached importance to relations with ASEAN in its external policy and its relations with ASEAN members over the past 15 years have constantly developed.

The Russian President pledged stronger relations with ASEAN, making greater efforts to boost trade, technology and investment into the grouping’s member economies.

“Economic trade and investment will play a key role in bilateral relations,” he said.

Medvedev was also quoted as saying that the upcoming summit would help boost bilateral relations in a series of fields, ranging from politics to economics, trade, transport and communications, energy, science and technology, culture, tourism, anti-terrorism and the battle against organised crime, responding to emergency situations and establishing a regional security mechanism and cooperation.

Cooperation between Russia and ASEAN benefits all countries, sparking confidence in a successful summit which would bring bilateral relations to a new height, concluded the Russian President./.