Participants in the Valdai International Discussion Club roundtable, “Russia-ASEAN relations: Regional dynamics in Southeast Asia”, spoke about new opportunities for cooperation and the prospects of economic relations between Russia and ASEAN nations. The event took place at MGIMO University on May 15, 2013.

       Participants in the Valdai International Discussion Club roundtable, “Russia-ASEAN relations: Regional dynamics in Southeast Asia”, spoke about new opportunities for cooperation and the prospects of economic relations between Russia and ASEAN nations. The event took place at MGIMO University on May 15, 2013.

       Thirty scholars, experts and journalists from Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, and the Philippines took part in the discussion. Employees of ASEAN agencies and representatives of diplomatic missions from a number of Southeast Asian countries were also present at the roundtable. Experts primarily focused on Russia’s strategic cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. Opening the discussion, Director of the ASEAN Centre at MGIMO Viktor Sumsky said: “Russia has a clear strategy as regards Asia-Pacific Region, but what tools it will use to implement the strategy remains an open question.”

       Experts believe that the Asia-Pacific Region represents more than just new markets and economic opportunities. It is also an important element in the global security system. Deputy Director of the ASEAN Centre Ekaterina Koldunova said that ASEAN is not only a reliable partner but also a good neighbor, and therefore “Russia wants to see ASEAN united and active”. Special Envoy Alexander Ivanov agreed with Koldunova: “ASEAN is the only possible partner in Southeast Asia.”

       Experts discussed the differences in how Europeans and Asians understand the concepts “instruments” and “institutions.” “What Asians understand as an ‘institution’ is very different from the Western interpretation,” said Tran Viet Thai, director of the Center for Foreign Policy and Regional Studies, located in Vietnam. “But while it may adhere to a distinctly Asian approach and principles that are natural to the region, Southeast Asia is a successful and promising partner in integration processes that are open to countries on both sides of the Pacific, as opposed to the European model.”

       In turn, Asia expects Russia to become more involved in the Asia-Pacific Region. Russia’s economic difficulties in the 1990s hindered ties with Southeast Asia. Dmitry Mosyakov, head of the Center for the Study of Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies, emphasized that Russia is gradually increasing its presence in Asia. Russia is becoming “more visible and more tangible” in Mosyakov’s words. The most important question asked at the round table discussion was: “What can we offer each other?” Viktor Sumsky answered it on behalf of Russia: “Russia can offer food, water, technologies, energy resources, transportation opportunities – all that Asian countries are in need”.

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