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Russia has always been & will remain a reliable, stable & interested partner for ASEAN : Lavrov
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s met Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen
Dhaka August 05 2022 :
Our entire system of cooperation objectively facilitates the consolidation of the regional architecture for security and sustainable development.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meetings with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.
On August 4-5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had meetings with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn during his visit to Phnom Penh for ASEAN ministerial events.
Sergey Lavrov and Hun Sen discussed the current state and development plans for bilateral cooperation in politics, trade, the economy, investment, science and technology, as well as culture and education. They held an in-depth exchange of views on the key regional and global issues and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting multipolarity and a truly universal architecture of equal security and cooperation for development, rather than confrontation and the division of the world along ideological lines.
Speaking in the context of Cambodia’s Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its role as ASEAN Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations, the sides emphasised their mutual resolve to make the best possible use of the potential of Russia’s cooperation with the 10 ASEAN nations based on trust, equality and mutual benefit.
Sergey Lavrov and Prak Sokhonn discussed plans to build up Russia-Cambodia ties in practical areas of mutual interest ahead of a regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which is scheduled to take place later this year. They also mapped out spheres for closer coordination of relations within the framework of the UN and other international organisations and forums, above all those that are focused on ASEAN.
Following the talks, the ministers adopted a joint statement and signed a plan of consultations between the Foreign Ministry of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia for 2022-2024.
During the visit, 500 Russian-made monkeypox testing kits have been handed over to Cambodia as part of humanitarian aid.
On August 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Don Pramudwinai on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial events in Phnom Penh.
The two ministers discussed the state and future of bilateral cooperation, including the political dialogue, trade, economic ties and humanitarian and cultural exchanges. They paid special attention to holding cultural events in both countries to mark the 125th anniversary of Russia-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2022.
The foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up cooperation within international and regional platforms, including within multilateral associations in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as their commitment to adding more substance to the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership.
On August 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Yusof on the sidelines of ASEAN events in Phnom Penh.
The sides discussed in a traditionally friendly and constructive spirit the current aspects of bilateral cooperation and Russia-Brunei interaction in international and regional affairs. They also reaffirmed mutual commitment to strengthening Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership.
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Russian Federation
The Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Russian Federation held fruitful negotiations in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022.
They agreed to promote further the development of long-lasting and time-tested bonds of friendship and mutual support between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Russian Federation in line with the basic values and aspirations of the peoples of both countries.
Cambodia and Russia will maintain and intensify political dialogue, regular contacts between the governments, parliaments, local authorities and political parties. They will enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, science and technology, education and culture, defence and security, creating favourable conditions for activities of organisations and companies in all the areas.
Cambodia and Russia will continue to respect legitimate interests of each other in bilateral relations and within the framework of regional and international fora.
The Ministers agreed to promote mutual support on key issues on international and regional agenda, with emphasis on strengthening ASEAN-centrality in the context of expanding multilateral integration in Asia-Pacific space.
On August 5, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN, ARF, and EAS events in Phnom Penh.
The two ministers expressed their satisfaction with the momentum Russia and China have generated in promoting their relations, which have been immune to external developments. They noted the consistency with which the two countries have been stepping up their practical cooperation and foreign policy coordination in keeping with the agreements reached by their respective heads of state.
During the conversation, the two ministers had a detailed exchange of views on bilateral interactions within ASEAN, ARF, and EAS formats, emphasising the need to support the security architecture with ASEAN at its core in light of proactive efforts by the United States and its satellites to build exclusive bloc-based structures in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The Russian and Chinese foreign ministers also discussed several topical matters on the regional and international agendas. They praised the effective cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and discussed ways of reforming this universal institution, while also reaffirming their commitment to further expanding cooperation within the BRICS and RIC formats.
As usual for the Russia-China relations, the conversation took place in a friendly and trust-based atmosphere.
Mr Minister,
Dear friend,
We communicate regularly, using every available opportunity. This is our third meeting in the past 30 days: we met in Bali on July 7 and in Tashkent on July 28, and on August 5 we are meeting here, in Phnom Penh. This schedule is not part of an obligatory procedure. Every time we meet, we see that Russia and China have more issues to discuss and adopt practical decisions on.
You have mentioned a recent example of arrogance which our American colleagues have been demonstrating for years. The United States is using every available opportunity to strengthen its domination across the world. Those who are monitoring this process are aware of the futility of this approach, according to which you should take no notice of the problems and crises created by Washington and hope for the best. The Americans are acting to suppress any manifestation of independence. In this spirit, they decided to turn Ukraine into a threat for the Russian Federation. For many years, the United States disregarded the racist policy of the Kiev regime, which was destroying everything that is Russian. Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan is in keeping with this approach.
Washington has no respect for its own principles, which it has declared publicly and has been doing its best to convince the world and itself of its commitment to them. It has apparently failed. In Ukraine, the Americans have violated and trampled underfoot the principle of indivisible security, the commitment to which they declared at the top level.
I am sure that our strategic partnership is a motivating force behind the movement for the priority of international law over the “rules” invented by the United States and its satellites. The matter concerns above all international law, beginning with the UN Charter and its fundamental principle of the sovereign equality of states. The United States is violating this principle everywhere every day. We must respond to that.
We are working together with China on the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter. I regard it as a promising structure that should be expanded. We are confident that more countries will join in this work.
I hope that today we will be able to discuss our current relations based on the agreements reached by our leaders, which we must implement.
Thank you.
Foreign Ministry statement on the results of the Russia – ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The Russia – ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting co-chaired by the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Cambodia showed that the Russia – ASEAN strategic partnership is unaffected by the geopolitical environment. It is based on a firm foundation of similar or identical positions on key global and regional issues and mutual interest in promoting political dialogue, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, as well as historical traditions of friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples.
The ministers reaffirmed their aspiration to fulfil the agreements reached at the 4th Russia – ASEAN summit in October 2021, including the effective implementation of the comprehensive plan of action in 2021-2025.
The ASEAN countries welcomed Russia’s firm support for the Association’s central role in the regional architecture and unity of its states, and the active role of our country in ASEAN-centric mechanisms, including the East Asian Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum on security and the meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers and Dialogue Partners.
The participants discussed prospects for intensifying political dialogue at the high and highest levels. Both sides are convinced that this is particularly important in conditions of geopolitical turbulence and the growing trend towards a multi-polar world. Russia’s diverse cooperation with the ASEAN 10 objectively facilitates the consolidation of the regional architecture for security and sustainable development. Importantly, we are united by our firm commitment to create a more equitable and democratic multipolar world on the basis of international law, primarily the principles of the UN Charter.
The participants reaffirmed their plans to hold a second round of Russia-ASEAN consultations of senior security officials and the second dialogue on cybersecurity in the latter half of 2022.
They discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the defence ministers of Russia and the ASEAN countries and praised the first Russia – ASEAN naval exercises held in late November – early December 2021.
The meeting confirmed the shared goal of completing the coordination of the Russia-ASEAN plans on countering terrorism and transnational crime, on cybersecurity issues, as well as education and energy security with a view to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN. The ministers of ASEAN countries thanked their Russian counterparts for organising academic courses for ASEAN law-enforcement experts.
The participants expressed their intention to promote Russia – ASEAN economic cooperation by implementing the roadmap for trade and investment cooperation in 2021-2025 and the relevant working programme. They emphasised the importance of promoting interaction between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and ASEAN by implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and ASEAN on Economic Cooperation and the Programme for EEC – ASEAN Cooperation in 2021-2025.
The participants highlighted successes in implementing the programme of events of the Year of Russia – ASEAN Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 2022 and confirmed their mutual interest in continuing it.
The ministers welcomed a decision to raise consultations on tourism to the ministerial level and the adoption of the Russia – ASEAN working plan on tourism cooperation in 2022-2024.
The foreign ministers reviewed key global and regional issues, including developments related to Ukraine. The Russian side explained in detail the background of the situation and the reasons for launching the special military operation to defend the population of Donbass from the genocide being perpetrated by the Kiev regime. The minister drew attention to the international context of the Ukrainian crisis – NATO’s failure to keep its promise not to expand to the east and the persistent efforts of the US and its European satellites to turn Ukraine into an anti-Russia bulwark. He noted the causes of the global food and energy crises, including the West’s myopic policy on these issues in recent years and the unlawful sanctions on Russia.
Mr Co-chairman,
Colleagues,
I would like to thank Cambodia as the ASEAN Chair, and the coordinator of the Russia-ASEAN dialogue partnership, for organising today’s meeting. I am happy to welcome all of you at one table.
This year, the association celebrates its 55th anniversary. For us in Russia, the figure “5” is associated with the best school mark. It is the “excellent” mark. So, history itself gives you two excellent marks. Russia supports your historical choice and is eager to promote a comprehensive strategic dialogue and the expansion of practical cooperation in all areas.
The Joint Declaration of the Head of State of the Russian Federation and the Heads of State/Government of the Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Progressive and Comprehensive Partnership was signed at the first meeting of our leaders in Kuala Lumpur in 2005. In 2018, it was raised to the strategic level. Today, we have every right to say that our relations are at the comprehensive strategic partnership level.
Today, we must focus on the specific actions and the long-term objectives that we set forth together, in part, at the Russia-ASEAN summit last year that was timed to the 30th anniversary of our relations. Our leaders determined the priorities for diversification and deepening cooperation in the near-term in the adopted Comprehensive Plan of Action on implementing the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership in 2021-2025.
I am pleased to state that despite the current international turbulence, we are expanding the range of our dialogue, enhancing the level of our industry-specific platforms, and deepening trade, economic and humanitarian ties. I would like to mention separately the implementation of the joint initiatives in science and technology during the current Russia-ASEAN Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
I hope that today we will discuss ways to continue improving our impressive cooperation potential in practical terms. Russia has always been and will remain a reliable, stable and interested partner for ASEAN.
We believe that our entire system of cooperation, including our multilateral and bilateral ties, objectively facilitates the consolidation of the regional architecture for security and sustainable development. Importantly, we are united by the firm commitment to create a more equitable and democratic multipolar world order with reliance on international law, primarily the principles of the UN Charter.
In this context, I suggest analysing in detail the key aspects of the evolution of interstate relations in both the Asia-Pacific Region and Eurasia. We should consider what can be done to preserve an ASEAN-centric system in a situation where some of our colleagues are imposing bloc-based approaches on others in the spirit of the Cold War. It is obvious that current geopolitical reality requires the building of bridges and the pooling of efforts rather than creating new dividing lines.
Russia consistently supports many integration platforms and projects and the pooling of their efforts to promote a unifying, future-oriented agenda. This is even more necessary since ASEAN, the SCO and the EAEU have accumulated useful experience in meeting each other halfway.
I am looking forward to an engaged and productive discussion.
On August 1, East Timor ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), having become the 174th country to carry out the required procedures to comply with this important international agreement.
We welcome this step that is a practical contribution to making this treaty universal and ensuring its entry into force as soon as possible.
Russia consistently advocates converting this document into a full-fledged mechanism of international law. We urge all countries that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the treaty without further delay.
Foreign Ministry statement on the aggravation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The escalation of tensions in the Lachin corridor and other sections of the contact line is cause for grave concern. Unfortunately, there are human losses. We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives and to wish speedy recovery to the wounded.
Russian peacekeepers are doing all they can to stabilise the situation on the ground. Intensive work with both sides is conducted via all channels and at all levels, including top leadership. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov maintains close contact with his Azerbaijani and Armenian colleagues.
We urge the sides to display restraint and observe the ceasefire. We firmly believe that all differences must be settled exclusively by political and diplomatic means, with the account of the sides’ positions and in strict conformity with the Statement by the Leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020.
We are convinced that the sides should focus on creating a positive agenda in Baku-Yerevan relations in the current trilateral negotiating formats.
On August 4, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Saleumxay Kommasith on the sidelines of the ASEAN ministerial events in Phnom Penh.
The officials discussed the status and prospects of the Russia-Laos strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific Region, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in trade, the economy and investment, as well as scientific, technical and humanitarian ties.
The exchange of opinions on international issues confirmed the proximity of the two countries’ approaches to key issues on the regional and global agenda, their focus on deepening cooperation at multilateral forums, as well as the steady advancement of the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership.
Thank you very much, my dear friend, we are happy to continue our regular contacts. Thank you for the hospitality accorded to my delegation in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2021.
Today, we can compare our positions and look at our governments’ joint efforts in line with agreements on cooperation in strategic areas, which were reached by the presidents of our countries.
As you said, we have been and will be together in both good and bad times. The world situation requires regular consultations and a better understanding of each other. I think our relations are a model in this respect.
I would also like to congratulate you on your recent appointment as Deputy Prime Minister in addition to the ministerial portfolio. We hope for future cooperation.
On August 4, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Rune Resaland was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where he was presented with a note of protest over the unacceptable behaviour of Norwegian consul Elisabeth Ellingsen, who made insulting Russophobic statements in a Murmansk hotel on July 6, 2022.
It was pointed out that the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s expression of regret over the outrageous incident was taken note of.
At the same time, it was pointed out that Elisabeth Ellingsen cannot remain in the Russian Federation after that incident.
Mr Chairman,
Mr Prime Minister,
It is gratifying to have this opportunity to meet with you in the context of our visit to Phnom Penh and in connection with the upcoming ASEAN event.
We appreciate our bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia, which have a long and positive history. Our peoples have warm, sincere and friendly feelings towards each other. We are expanding cooperation in the economy, in the cultural, military, military-technical, security and many other spheres. We are interested in strengthening these relations.
On August 5, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Russian Federation Atanas Krastin was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was presented with a ministry’s note declaring 14 employees of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission and consulates in Russia personae non gratae.
This measure was a response to the Bulgarian party’s unwarranted decision to declare 70 employees of Russia’s diplomatic missions personae non gratae, to introduce quotas for the Russian diplomatic and administrative personnel in Bulgaria, and to temporarily close the Russian Consulate General in Ruse. We would like to emphasise that the responsibility for the repercussions of these counter-productive measures lies entirely with the government of Bulgaria, led by Kiril Petkov.
We believe that such actions not only seriously harm the traditional ties between our countries and infringe upon the rights of our compatriots who have been left without consular services, but also bear witness to the further degradation of the collective West, which is ready to sacrifice the interests of its partners in order to harm Russia. Official Sofia’s unconditional adherence to this destructive course is regrettable.
We are confident that the unfriendly steps towards Russia have nothing to do with the national interests of Bulgaria and its people.
Editor's Panel: [ Sayeed Ahmed, Anowarul Hoque, S M Islam ] Publisher: S. Hossain
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