Vladimir Putin: Russia and ASEAN have built substantial experience in multifaceted cooperation over 35 years

Russia and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have accumulated substantial experience in cooperation over the past 35 years, establishing strong partnerships, including between the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted in his address to participants and guests of the Russia–ASEAN Business Forum held in Kazan. The information was published on the Kremlin’s official website.

The greeting from the Russian leader was read out by Russia’s Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov at the opening of the forum. According to data published on the ministry’s website, trade turnover between Russia and ASEAN has increased by 58 per cent over the past decade, reaching US$21 billion.

"This forum, which has brought together leading representatives of the business communities of our country and the ASEAN member states in the hospitable capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, is of particular importance. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Russia–ASEAN relations. During this period, we have accumulated substantial experience in multifaceted cooperation, established strong ties, including between the Association’s Business Advisory Council and the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, and created a solid foundation for the future"

Vladimir Putin President of the Russian Federation

Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia–ASEAN Business Council and Chairman of the TV BRICS International Media Network, emphasised that the development of practical partnerships between Russian entrepreneurs and representatives of the business community in Southeast Asia largely depends on a favourable information environment across the Russia–ASEAN space. Today, TV BRICS is actively building a multi-level system of international cooperation in communications aimed at the direct exchange of high-quality analytical and news content, including with the participation of BRICS countries, ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This approach creates new opportunities for constructive dialogue between business communities in different countries, strengthening trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim also noted that the development of Russia–ASEAN cooperation over the past 35 years has been supported by meaningful dialogue, growing economic interaction and a shared commitment to mutually beneficial partnership. Speaking at the opening of the forum, the Malaysian Prime Minister stressed that the ASEAN region has become one of the world’s most dynamic economic areas, with an expanding middle class, a rapidly growing digital economy and a young population that continues to drive growth and innovation. His remarks were reported by BERNAMA, a partner of TV BRICS.

“ASEAN has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The region continues to attract investment, deepen integration, and strengthen its position within global value chains,” Anwar Ibrahim said.

Photo: Bernama

Addressing forum participants, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn highlighted the strengths and complementary advantages of Russia and ASEAN. He drew attention to opportunities for deepening economic cooperation in areas such as energy security, food security, supply chain connectivity, manufacturing and digital transformation. The ASEAN Secretary-General called for active engagement between businesses and investors to support sustainable growth in both regions, according to information published on the ASEAN website.

Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul stated at the opening of the forum that his country is ready to assume the role of a strategic gateway to ASEAN for strengthening business ties between Russia and Southeast Asia. His remarks were published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. In his view, Russia and ASEAN can successfully expand cooperation in trade and tourism, including medical tourism. Charnvirakul welcomed the growth of Russian investment in sectors such as digital technologies, agriculture and the creative economy and expressed support for exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

In his address, Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of Vietnam, called for closer coordination between ASEAN and Russia in building more resilient and flexible supply chains, including the development of transport routes linking the Russian Far East with Southeast Asia, encompassing seaports and railway networks. He also identified energy, technology and digital transformation as strategic areas of cooperation.

Drawing on Vietnam’s experience of cooperation with the EAEU under the Free Trade Agreement, Hung reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to serve as a bridge in strengthening economic ties between ASEAN and the EAEU, as well as between ASEAN and Russia, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a partner of TV BRICS.

More than 400 corporate executives and business leaders from Russia and ASEAN member states took part in the Russia–ASEAN Business Forum.

The Russia–ASEAN Summit, marking the 35th anniversary of relations between Russia and ASEAN, is taking place in Kazan on 17–18 June.