Asean, Russia assess cooperation

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphane Savanphet, who is also Laos’ Asean SOM Leader, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and SOM Leader of the Russian Federation Igor Morgulov. 
Participants reviewed the cooperation between Asean and Russia over the past year, especially in following up the outcomes of the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit held to mark the 20th anniversary of Asean-Russia Dialogue Relations, which was held in May last year in Sochi, Russia.
According to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting discussed priority areas for cooperation based on the recommendations of the Asean-Russia Eminent Persons Group and charted out future directions for Asean-Russia cooperation. These would span political security, economic, and socio-cultural matters by encouraging closer cooperation and coordination between the sectoral bodies of Asean and Russia.
The discussions also aimed to ensure the effective implementation of the Asean-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action 2016-2020, which seeks to elevate the Asean-Russia Dialogue Partnership to a strategic level in the future.
At the meeting, representatives from Asean and Russia discussed preparations for the upcoming Asean Post Ministerial Conference (PMC)+1 Session with the Russian Federation, to be held in August in the Philippines, and also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.
Laos is holding a three-year term as country coordinator for Asean-Russia Dialogue Relations, which will continue until August 2018.