For more than half a century, ASEAN has established itselfas one of the most authoritative organisations, a crucial element of the newmultipolar world order and a hub centred around by many important political andeconomic processes in Asia-Pacific, Zakharova said in her remarks to mark the 55th founding anniversary of the bloc.
ASEAN's unwavering commitment to the broad and inclusiveinteraction principle and the harmonious coexistence of all member states,regardless of differences in government forms, economic structures and culturalnorms, have enabled it to develop a system of multilateral cooperationmechanisms and become a model for this type of interaction in the world, she noted.
The official emphasised that Moscow regards ASEAN as a priority in Russia’sforeign policy in Asia and that Russia highly appreciates “ASEAN way,” theregion’s unique method of diplomacy which embodies the centuries-old politicaland moral cultures of Asian nations. It is something that many countries andorganisations around the globe must learn from ASEAN, she said.
Zakharova also informed that Russian Foreign Minister SergeyLavrov was scheduled to visit Myanmar on August 3 where he planned to meet hisMyanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin and the Southeast Asian country’s topleaders to discuss the prospect of fostering the bilateral relations.
Cambodia will be the next destination of his tour toSoutheast Asia./.
Vietnam holds centre role in ASEAN
Since officially joining ASEAN on July 28, 1995, Vietnam's foreign policy in ASEAN has become an important part, reflecting a fundamental development in its foreign strategy.