Talking with correspondents on the sidelines of the 17 th ASEAN Summitand related summits in Hanoi , Kim said, with the officialparticipation in the EAS of Russia and the US as of 2011, relationsbetween the two nations and the bloc will be strengthened, and at thesame time, ASEAN’s role will be expanded.
“TheRepublic of Korea ’s government welcomes the participation of Russiaand the US in this cooperation mechanism,” the foreign ministersaid.
The 5 th EAS is scheduled to take place onOct. 30, coinciding with the 17 th ASEAN Summit and related summitsbeing held in Hanoi from Oct. 28-30.
This yearmarks the first time the Russian and US foreign ministers will attendthe EAS as special guests of Vietnam – the Chair of ASEAN 2010.
According to Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung,Russia and the US will be invited to join the EAS as officialmembers as of 2011. Currently, EAS members include the 10 ASEAN nationsplus Australia , China , India , Japan , New Zealand and theRoK.
The RoK’s foreign minister also spoke highly of Vietnam ’s chairmanship and contributions to the region’s development.
“By hosting regional meetings in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2010,Vietnam greatly contributes to the region’s development and performswell as the bloc’s chairman. In my point of view, the 17 th ASEANSummit was organised successfully,” he added./.