MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia is preparing to host a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on May 19-20 in Sochi, timed to the 20th anniversary since the establishment of the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership.
"I would not call it a Russian ‘pivot’ toward the Asia-Pacific Region," Morgulov told TPP-Inform. "Our country is a global player situated in the Eurasian continent, and it has been forging ties with the West and with the East at the same time."
The deputy minister stressed that Moscow took "global growth trends" into account, "and they indicate that Asia-Pacific is the powerhouse of the global economy and politics."
In late April, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow was planning to boost bilateral cooperation with all ASEAN member states, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
