The Southeast Asian bloc of nations formed the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of last year, moving one step closer to full integration and creating a more formalized market of over 600 million people, which is larger than the EU. The region has an abundance of economic potential, which is giving rise to its own geopolitical power as the gatekeeper between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, which pivotally places it right between India and China.
Located at the crossroads of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, ASEAN has an irreplaceable role to play in heightening Russia’s global strategic standing.
Ivan Tymopheev, director of Programs, Russian Council for International Relations; Timothy Misir, independent geopolitical analyst; and Ekaterina Koldunova, senior expert from ASEAN Center at the MGIMO University in Moscow commented on the issue.
