Thank YOU: Lavrov held a second meeting with Rubio in Malaysia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has completed a two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, where he took part in key events organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Among the central issues are the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East, tensions on the Korean peninsula, and the issue around Taiwan. The negotiations took place against the background of the US plans to impose duties against the countries of the region. Washington's pressure promotes ASEAN's rapprochement with Russia and the growth of economic ties, including the export of our agricultural products, as well as increased energy cooperation. About the challenges facing Southeast Asia and what Sergey Lavrov discussed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - in the Izvestia article.

Results of the ASEAN-YOU meeting

On July 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summed up the results of his participation in ASEAN events: the ministerial session of the regional Security Forum, as well as the meeting of foreign ministers of the participating countries of the East Asian Summit (EAC). Russia has focused on expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, security, trade and tourism, which indicates Moscow's desire to strengthen its position in the dynamically developing region of Southeast Asia.

The Minister noted that the ASEAN countries are well aware of the difference in approaches between Russia and the West. Therefore, Russia's proposals are more promising.

"In our concept of Eurasian security and the Greater Eurasian Partnership, one of the main principles is respect for the structures established in various subregions, including ASEAN, and its central role played by the association as a result of work lasting almost 60 years to bring together countries interested in cooperation based on the principles of equality, openness, and inclusivity," he said. Sergey Lavrov at the final press conference.

The 18 EAC countries account for over 50% of the world's population and about 55% of the total GDP. The Asian Regional Forum deals with security issues. Sergey Lavrov noted that the recent attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran were discussed at the meeting. Russia called for the continuation of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel "without any interruptions." Plans to create some kind of united Palestinian emirates and other similar ideas exacerbate the risks regarding the prospects of creating a Palestinian state in accordance with UN decisions, the minister noted.

The potential for conflict on the Korean peninsula is significant, and the United States and its allies continue to provoke North Korea, Lavrov explained. "Increasingly large—scale military exercises are being conducted, including with a nuclear component," he said. Moscow will do everything possible to ensure Pyongyang's legitimate rights and prevent provocations. The issue of the status of Taiwan Island, which Russia considers part of China, was also raised. Sergey Lavrov called hypocrisy the statements of some Western countries about maintaining the status quo on the Taiwan issue.

— The status quo for the West is relations with Taiwan as an independent state. Therefore, we have once again confirmed the immutability of our approach in support of Beijing's position and Russia's readiness to do everything possible to assist in the implementation of this position," Lavrov said.

By the way, on the eve of your meeting, the Russian Foreign Minister had a brief conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio again. The day before, the ministers held full-fledged bilateral talks that lasted almost an hour. This was the second face-to-face meeting between Lavrov and Rubio after the February talks in Riyadh. The parties discussed the Ukrainian settlement. Sergey Lavrov handed over to his American counterpart a selection of statements by representatives of the regime in Kiev, which, according to the Russian Foreign Minister, contain calls for the extermination of the Russian-speaking population. He stressed the need to take these facts into account in peace negotiations.

Marco Rubio said earlier that at a meeting with representatives of Russia on July 10, the American side heard proposals on Ukraine that had not previously been voiced. Sergey Lavrov did not comment on Rubio's words. Recently, Donald Trump has toughened his rhetoric against Russia. At the same time, earlier Western media wrote about a change in the US approach to the Ukrainian conflict.

Prospects for the development of relations between Russia and ASEAN

However, US foreign policy is not only in the focus of Russia's attention. The heads of departments of Southeast Asia discussed the economic challenges posed by the United States. Earlier, Donald Trump announced that duties would be imposed on the states of the region on August 1. The tariff will be 40% for Laos and Myanmar, and 36% for Thailand and Cambodia. Malaysia will be charged 25%.

Sergey Lavrov stressed that the dialogue between Russia and ASEAN began to develop long before Washington's harsh unilateral actions.

— The ASEAN countries are interested in cooperating with Russia, regardless of what is happening in the West and what the United States or its allies are doing against them. Friendship with Russia began long before the current US administration began to impose sanctions in the form of tariffs — these are also sanctions, consider it," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Lavrov stressed that Russia and ASEAN are strengthening cooperation in the field of security policy. The Russian Federation has consistently supported the organization's role in international affairs, and cooperation between the parties has actually contributed to stability in the region. "Cooperation in the field of security policy and countering new challenges and threats is being strengthened," he explained. In addition, according to the Foreign Minister, the parties intend to expand ties in the economy, energy, agriculture and promote the emergence of new projects in high-tech areas.

Russia and ASEAN have several areas of developing relations. The first is food security, primarily the export of Russian fertilizers, beef, grain, wheat, that is, agricultural products to the countries of the association. The second is energy cooperation, the supply of mineral products, and the sale of coal, Alexander Korolev, Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Higher School of Economics, told Izvestia.

— In my opinion, digitalization of the public sector, public administration, digital trade chains and smart cities, and artificial intelligence are also promising areas. In the military sphere, data exchange and training of specialists from ASEAN countries in Russian military academies are likely. It is also possible to conduct military exercises in the future and prevent the consequences of natural disasters," the expert noted.

Part of the problems in relations between the parties is related to sanctions: businesses from ASEAN countries are afraid of being subjected to secondary measures for implementing projects with Russia, especially in sensitive areas such as dual-use products. The union states are reluctant to switch to mutual settlements in mutual currencies.

— Despite the sanctions, there are some promising areas of cooperation between the Russian Federation and ASEAN. First of all, it is a peaceful atom, logistics and transport. For example, the Russian company Fesco is opening many shipping lines, and communication with Malaysia has already been opened," Korolev said.

In his opinion, the issues of food and energy security are promising, because there is a strong reserve and strategic resources there. These include transport, logistics, as well as the field of digitalization and innovation.