ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership

Nowadays Russia is pursuing more and more eastern oriented policy and this
is not without reasons. Asia actually is not any more a “third world” or a backward
periphery and this fact is had to admit by all western politicians. That is why
oriental direction in Russian foreign policy is the most crucial these days. As for
Asian giants like China and India, Russia has defined time-tested diplomatic
partnership with them. However the same cannot be said about more remoted
countries like ASEAN members. But it is only a matter of time because both sides
have common interests in developing multilateral political dialogue.

Today Southeast Asia is one of the most fast-developing regions in the

international landscape. That is why Russia wants to strengthen the connection
with them and reach a new level in their diplomacy. This desire is absolutely
mutual because the majority of ASEAN countries are still in need of foreign
supporter both material and “spiritual”. Despite more than twenty years of
cooperation nowadays Russia is only at the beginning of its Asian integration.
Thanks to the strong foundation of our relationship has already been laid now it is
vitally important to find some new ways to boost our partnership.

Since Russia became a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1996 undoubtedly the

great work has been done by both parties: were hold annual Consultations and
Summits made remarkable progress in a political and security dialogue, trade and
economic ties and many others. Countries are continuing to develop different
collective plans and projects and try to find some new common grounds. Being the
main initiator of expanding ties, Russia needs to induce partnership in different
spheres. As for the economy ASEAN-Russia cooperation today are based on
natural resources and military equipment. Of course long and prosperous
partnership cannot be built only on them, especially in our fast-changing world.
Russia should not have too much hope for expanding success-arms and gas, oil
export to that region because of increasing competition in the market and the
limitations of our own capabilities. This makes Russian perspectives for
cooperation with ASEAN countries are unpredictable and unstable. Both sides
need to take new steps to foster practical and efficient cooperation now.

One of the possible directions that can move the ASEAN-Russia relations
forward to a strategic level is business investments and opening of branches of
Russian companies in Southeast Asia. In spite of the fact that these countries are
still poorly understood in terms of doing business, it`s could be an advantage for
Russian investors. For example, possible lack of competition and the opportunity
to apply Russian well-yield business to Asian realities could bear fruit. At first, this
involvement will be impossible without the help of the state that is why our
government and private companies should begin to explore Southeast Asian
market and stimulate the penetration of Russian companies into the region.
Through business integration both sides will have more ties that could expand our
economic partnership.

Moreover the other possible approaches to get our countries closer are an
expansion of cooperation in education and culture. One of the most efficient ways
is implementing more student exchange programs (with f.e. universities in
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia) and holding ASEAN-Russia Youth Summits. It
will not only help students to know more about such remoted countries and the
culture but also can stimulate growing of interest to explore the region both for
Russian and Asian students. The more people in Russia, who specialise on
Southeast Asia region, know the languages and familiar the cultures, the more
opportunities our country has to build closer cooperation. Nowadays there is a
tendency that people in Russia are more oriented on China, the Middle East and
Japan because their cultures are more familiar and widespread in our own society.
As for Southeast Asia, it is still a big white spot for the majority of Russian
population. Their wealth culture has not yet presented in our society that explains a
law level of interest. Of course students programs are not an only way to acquaint
with distant regions, but it the most effective way to exchange knowledge and
experience in scientific and cultural spheres that inevitably leads to strengthen
cross-cultural dialogue.

All above is not a complete list of possible ways to develop our strategic
partnership, but it`s big steps towards building more stronger ties with Southeast
Asia. Taking into account our mutual desire to reach this level of communication
both sides has every chance to refine ASEAN-RUSSIA cooperation.