MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states are coordinating joint work on building modern security architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
"I emphasize that we are coordinating closely with ASEAN on our work to build the APR modern security architecture based on the principles of equality, openness and balance of the interests of all the stakeholders," Lavrov said at a Russia-ASEAN ministerial meeting.
The Russian minister said that the Russia-ASEAN cooperation was aimed at contributing to peace and stability, prosperity and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
The sides are focusing on the implementation of the goals agreed during a similar meeting in the Russian resort city of Sochi in May, Lavrov said.
"The Sochi agreements have given a powerful impetus to the development of multifaceted ASEAN — Russia cooperation, opening the way to bringing our relations to the level of a strategic partnership," Lavrov said.
ASEAN comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
