Russia, ASEAN countries to discuss security in Asia-Pacific

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Aug 2022 09:10

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev is set to meet with ASEAN counterparts later on Monday to discuss Asia-Pacific security challenges.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev (Office of the President of Russia)

A number of video conference meetings will be held Monday between Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts to discuss security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

The first session of consultations occurred in June 2021. Patrushev noted at the time that the international community was experiencing substantial challenges in global integration processes due to growing protectionism and the struggle for spheres of influence.

Furthermore, the Russian security official emphasized that these trends represented a danger to Russia's and ASEAN states' national interests. Patrushev also insisted that the Russia-ASEAN cooperation will endure difficult challenges and continue to play an essential role in maintaining global stability.

On August 19, Patrushev when addressing the 17th meeting of the Security Council Secretaries from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries underlined that "color revolutions remain the main tool of what's known as American-style democracy since the Western establishment keeps undertaking regular endeavors to whip up revolutions in our counties."

Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines compose the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which was created in 1967. ASEAN maintains dialogue partnerships with the European Union and eleven other nations, including Russia. The most recent Russia-ASEAN summit took conducted via video conference in October 2021.

It is worth noting that ASEAN states have been frustrated by the US' failure to detail plans for economic engagement since Trump's withdrawal from a regional trade pact in 2017.

In October, Biden announced his intention to establish IPEF during a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders.

Only two ASEAN countries - Singapore and the Philippines - are expected to be among the first to sign up for IPEF negotiations, which do not currently provide the expanded market access Asian nations desire given Biden's concern for American jobs, according to analysts and diplomats.