Lavrov leaves for Manila to participate in ASEAN forums

Moscow, July 31 (UNI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today left for Manila to participate in the forums of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 1-2.

In the focus of the Russia-ASEAN Ministerial Conference will be prospects for partnership, a Russian Foreign Ministry source told Itar-Tass news agency.

The ministers will analyse the course of implementation of the agreement on cooperation in economy and development and the programme of action for cooperation development for the 2005-2015 period, which were signed at the Russia-ASEAN summit held in December 2005.

Russia plans to discuss practical measures to deepen cooperation in priority areas, including anti-terror fight, operation in emergencies, science, technologies, tourism and culture, the source said, adding that particular attention will be paid to the economic area.

It is necessary to take steps to bring Russia-ASEAN relations to a level corresponding to the potentialities of growing economies. In this context, ways to carry out specific projects of the recently formed Partnership Financial Fund will be discussed, he noted.

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on security will discuss the Korean peninsula nuclear problem, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and cooperation in fight against illegal drug trafficking.

Russia is interested in broadening cooperation with ASEAN member countries, including those in ARF, the source said.

Lavrov is also scheduled to meet with his counterparts, including those from India, Australia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Singapore.

UNI