Russia, which badly needs to modernize its economy and attract as much foreign investment as possible, should make use of these colossal resources. The aggregate gross domestic product of the ASEAN countries, which have a combined population of over 600 million people, exceeds $1.5 trillion, and their aggregate foreign trade is approximately as large.

       Russia began its cooperation with the Association of South East Asian Nations 15 years ago. ASEAN, which was set up in 1967 and currently comprises ten Southeast Asian countries – Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines – is to celebrate other anniversaries of its own in the years to come.

       It has to its credit quite a few achievements, although they may not be apparent at first glance. All of them follow from the so-called “ASEAN method,” which can be described as both a political principle and an ethical norm. It is very simple: regional cooperation must be based on dialogue and consensus, gradual discussion of issues at informal talks, personal ties between political leaders, and the declared principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

       In comparison with the West, the very process of dialogue is often more important in Asian political culture than its results. This could be the secret of the successful development of the Russia-ASEAN relationship over the past 15 years. Russia’s foreign policy cannot boast comparable achievements in the Euro-Atlantic area.

       Paradoxically, however, the “process is more important than the result” formula has not prevented ASEAN from developing a stable and ramified system of interregional ties and becoming one of the most rapidly developing areas of global politics and economy. Moreover, it has helped Russia become a serious regional partner on issues of international security and economic development.

       Our countries advocate peaceful, stable, and secure development for the Asia-Pacific region. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) provides a venue for discussing acute regional and global security issues such as the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (including the creation of a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia), efforts against international terrorism, the Korean nuclear issue, the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, piracy, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

       ASEAN believes that there is also a pragmatic purpose to dialogue on regional security as much as it creates an atmosphere of predictability and mutual trust in which international trade and economic integration can prosper. The ASEAN member countries quickly recovered from the global financial an economic crisis and resumed growth at an enviable pace. Some of them have large gold and foreign currency reserves, modern production, and high technology.

       Russia, which badly needs to modernize its economy and attract as much foreign investment as possible, should make use of these colossal resources. The aggregate gross domestic product of the ASEAN countries, which have a combined population of over 600 million people, exceeds $1.5 trillion, and their aggregate foreign trade is approximately as large.

       In 2010, ASEAN’s trade approached $180 billion with China, $160 billion with Japan, and $150 billion with the United States. Its trade with the European Union exceeded $170 billion for the first time ever.

       Russian-ASEAN trade, which is worth only $7 billion, looks very modest by comparison, but it is possible that it will increase significantly in the near future. The economic situation is favorable for the development of Russia’s cooperation with regional economies, as most ASEAN nations have entered into large-scale industrial development and urbanization and are rapidly building electricity and gas supply networks.

       ASEAN members are, therefore, objectively interested in Russian energy resources. Most of them are net importers of oil and gas and could not only sign long-term oil and gas supply agreements with Russia but also develop cooperation in nuclear power generation, the construction of hydropower plants on the Mekong, electricity grids and gas pipelines, and networks to supply other services to millions of consumers.

       Many countries in Southeast Asia began their military-technical cooperation with Russia in the latter half of the 20th century, during a period of armed struggle for independence and sovereignty. They have not forgotten those traditions and are now attempting to pursue sovereign foreign policies, while bolstering their militaries with Russian aircraft, air defense systems, and army and navy equipment. Experts believe that Southeast Asia will remain one of the more promising markets for Russian defense goods in the future.

       Finally, ASEAN countries readily apply innovative technologies, including in those spheres in which Russia holds strong positions, such as nuclear energy, aerospace, new materials, IT, communications, and laser technology.

       At the same time, Russia can attract investment from these countries and use their innovative experience and technology for its modernization.

       Russia and ASEAN have the political will to boost their cooperation to a fundamentally new level. During the second Russia-ASEAN summit in Hanoi in October 2010, President Dmitry Medvedev proposed drafting a road map for trade, economic, and investment cooperation. The joint statement adopted at the forum reads: “ASEAN welcomed the participation of the Russian Federation in the regional integration processes, considering it as an important factor of stability and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific.”

       As the tone of this statement indicates, Russian-ASEAN relations are far from impersonal. Russia’s history of involvement in the region is perhaps best exemplified by its strategic partnership with Vietnam, with which it has maintained close, confidential relations since the Soviet era. Vietnam is ready to act as the bridge in Russian-ASEAN relations, provided such relations do not strain its ties with other member nations and dialogue partners, for example, China.

       Russia is also an important dialogue partner for ASEAN. Their relations over the past 15 years show that this official formula comprises a wide range of possibilities for interaction and cooperation. If both sides demonstrate the will to apply them in full measure, the results of their cooperation will become much more commendable by the next anniversary celebration.

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.