Issues of the cooperation between Russia and Asian countries will be discussed at the VII BEF

The RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to discuss issues of the cooperation between Russia and members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) within the framework of the VII BEF. The format of the event is still under discussion, as the Council of Federation press centre informed.

According to Bakhtiar Khakimov, the Head of the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department on Asia and Pacific Region Cooperation, Dmitry Medvedev, the RF President, approved the Programme of Activity in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) in April 2011. There is the assignment to prepare the strategy of development of the relations with the APR countries and the forecast of the social-economic development of the Far East till 2050.

“Very serious forces are involved in the development of these ideas, - said Bakhtiar Khakimov, - and our task is to formulate the main ideas till September. Taking into consideration the 15th anniversary of the Russia – ASEAN Dialogue Partnership, some ideas are possible to be tested at the Baikal Economic Forum platforms.”

Sergey Chernyshev, the Head of the RF Ministry of Economic Development Department on Asia and Africa, supported the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As he said, Elvira Nabiullina, the RF Minister of Economic Development, intends to participate in the “Dialogue with Ministers of Economy of ASEAN countries” meeting in August. It will be held in Indonesia.

“By the time, we are to prepare the rout map of the interaction with the ASEAN; and it is definitely oriented to the business so its format corresponds the Baikal Economic Forum programme, its focuses on the promoting business in the realization of the goals of the international cooperation in the region, - emphasized Sergey Chernyshev. – In the case, the RF Chamber of Commerce is ready to hold a meeting of Russia and ASEAN countries businessmen, we support ideologically such event. We have what to say within the framework of such dialogue”.