ASEAN, Russia reaffirm commitment to boost cooperation

It was in 2016 that ASEAN and Russia commemorated their 20 years of dialogue relations. (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA, Aug. 6— ASEAN and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in political, trade, economic, social and cultural areas.

The two parties held ASEAN-Russia Ministerial Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Sunday.

During the meeting, ASEAN country coordinator Laos PDR, through its Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, and Russian Foreign Miniser Sergey Lavrov pushed for the implementation of the decision and outcome of ASEAN and Russian leaders in Sochi summit last year.

It was in 2016 that ASEAN and Russia commemorated their 20 years of dialogue relations.

Lao PDR’s top diplomat said ASEAN is looking forward to expanding and deepen its dialogue partnership with Russia.

He noted that Russia has been actively contributing to the development of ASEAN in the past years with their strategic partnership.

Lavrov and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano met again here after their meeting in Moscow last May as part of the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Russia.