The past months and even weeks have been filled with events important for the partnership between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In the corridors of diplomacy
During negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the guests from Southeast Asia (SEA), the parties noted the fruitful development of partnerships with these states, their similar views on global and regional issues, the expansion of cooperation to encompass the economic, energy, technological, humanitarian spheres within the framework of international organisations and forums (including the UN and BRICS), as well as security.
The Russia-ASEAN dialogue was of particular importance during the meetings. As Vladimir Putin said during negotiations with Anwar Ibrahim (it should be recalled that Malaysia is currently chairing ASEAN): “We hope that our relations with this respected, reputable association…will develop in the same way that our bilateral relations are developing. They are friendly, partner relations”.
Digital growth
Besides political issues, the parties made significant progress in other fields as well. In April, WorldSkills Russia (organisation aimed at developing vocational education and skills) and the ASEAN Secretariat initiated a joint online education programme in web technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles, software for business, graphic design and the automatisation of business processes.
In terms of business circles from both sides, there were multiple large forums taking place simultaneously, providing a dialogue platform. Representatives of Southeast Asian delegations (first and foremost Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) were among the guests at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. In May, during his trip to Russia, Anwar Ibrahim visited the XVI International Economic Forum ‘Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum’ in Kazan. He assessed Kazan’s economic potential and was in favour of developing regional ties between Russia and Indonesia, including in the spheres of banking and food.
During the forum in Kazan, an unusual event took place, namely a fashion show demonstrating modest clothes favoured by religious people of various confessions. In the fashion world, this is called ‘modest fashion’. Designers from Malaysia and Indonesia took part in the fashion show. Such exchanges expand the traditions of friendly peoples and allow for design innovation, where all cultures participating give it their own twist.
In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, the business forum Russia-Indonesia was held just a few months earlier, organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In a speech, Russian Trade Representative in Indonesia Alexander Masaltsev named various promising spheres of cooperation, including agriculture, industry and logistics. It should be noted that direct contacts between business circles are necessary to catalyse economic relations.
Particularly satisfying is the implementation of previous agreements. For example, a new dairy plant was opened in the Kaluga Region in May, with investments from Vietnamese investors. It is located in the Kaluga Special Economic Zone near Borovsk. The enterprise has created several hundreds of jobs and will produce dairy products both for the domestic Russian market and for export. Projects of this kind in the real sector are becoming the hallmark of Russian-Vietnamese cooperation.
When the military becomes humanitarian
Russian-ASEAN ties are not limited to economic issues. Has the reader ever observed military cooperation, which would be socially significant and even humanitarian in nature? It is unlikely, however, that this is how one may characterise the joint security activities currently prioritised in the cooperation between Russia and ASEAN via the ASEAN Plus Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM), namely the Humanitarian Mine Action. At the end of May, Russia organised a meeting of the ADMM expert working group addressing this issue at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Centre in Moscow. Laos co-organised and co-chaired the meeting with Russia.
As the head of the Russian negotiations group, Sergey Abramov, underlined, “explosive devices left over after wars present a constant threat to the population of Asian countries”.
In addition to the multilateral discussions at the meeting, the participants once again noted Russia’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Laos, which our country has been providing for seven years to clear the country of numerous unexploded munitions (particularly those left over from the US bombings during the Vietnam War). During this time, more than 2 million square metres have been cleared (over 208 hectares of land) and more than 3,900 explosive objects have been found and destroyed.
According to the head of the Lao delegation, Deputy Head of the International External Relations Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Fengsai Milacon, “it will take more than a decade to clear Laos of the millions of tonnes of explosives”. Therefore, the Lao sappers highly appreciate Russia’s support and note that “Russian devices and technologies, equipment are working properly and are suitable for the area”.
‘Big ships need a big, joint voyage’
A notable recent event was the ‘business call of Russian Navy ships to Thailand, as it was called in official reports. At the end of April, the ‘Rezkiy’ and ‘Aldar Tsidenjapov’ corvettes, as well as the medium marine tanker ‘Pechenega’, of the Russian Pacific Fleet visited the Asian kingdom.
Our sailors were greeted by a military band, and, as a traditional souvenir, they received special garlands of flowers from the Thai side. During the visit, the Russians met with representatives of the Royal Thai Navy and joint exercises on communication and tactical manoeuvring with a Thai frigate and a naval aviation helicopter were organised.
This makes one recall the good old Russian saying: “A big ship needs a big voyage”. In general, it applies to a wide range of contacts between Russia and ASEAN. And, although there is much that is new in the relationship and further plans of the parties than a brief overview can fit, it is possible to get an idea of their content, which allows these contacts to diversify and develop in the future.
Much more interesting things lie ahead.
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
