Putin: Russia Interested in Closer Business Cooperation With ASEAN

SOCHI (Sputnik) — The Russian resort city of Sochi is hosting the Russia-ASEAN Summit on May 19-20. The summit is attended by Putin and leaders of ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Laos.

"We are interested in expanding our relationship and we will do everything to support it, and I am now addressing business representatives, we will do everything for fostering conditions for common work, both on the Russian market and on the ASEAN countries' markets," Putin said during a meeting with heads of delegations which attended Thursday's Russia-ASEAN Business Forum.

The forum, which is part of the Russia-ASEAN Summit, focused on developing trade and economic relations, increasing investment potential and spurring business cooperation between public and business organizations of the countries involved. The forum was attended by over 400 delegates from 16 countries, according to Russia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The sides should seek to increase cooperation and look beyond the borders of Russia and ASEAN in the wider Asia-Pacific region, Putin stressed, adding that Russia's long-standing good relations with many ASEAN members are a solid foundation for developing business ties.

On Thursday, ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh told Sputnik that there is potential for cooperation between the bloc and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) as they share same goals, including increasing connectivity and integration.