Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the 31st session of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane, where he underscored Russia’s strategic vision for Eurasian security.
The meetings, held on July 27, brought together key stakeholders to discuss pressing regional security issues and the role of various international organizations.
Lavrov articulated the necessity of establishing an open and indivisible security architecture for Eurasia, which he views as fundamental to a multipolar international order. He highlighted the roles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in reinforcing this security framework. His statements reflect a growing concern over the impact of NATO and U.S.-led bloc mechanisms on regional peace and stability, which he contends pose significant risks.
Emphasizing Russia’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN’s central role in the regional security system, Lavrov called for an equitable dialogue and practical cooperation. This approach aims to ensure ASEAN’s pivotal position in fostering regional stability. Discussions at the EAS also centered on preparations for the 19th East Asia Summit, scheduled for October 2024 in Vientiane. Russia has previously suggested creating a regional epidemic response mechanism and promoting economic growth through tourism cooperation. Additionally, Russia proposed focusing on the development of remote areas as a potential avenue for long-term collaboration.
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At the ARF session, discussions focused on enhancing the forum’s capacity in counterterrorism, emergency response, and information and communication technology (ICT) security. Lavrov expressed opposition to any attempts to alter the ARF’s mandate or restrict the participation of certain member states based on political considerations. He also criticized moves to block mutually beneficial cooperation projects.
The session saw the approval of several key plans, including counterterrorism and transnational crime initiatives for 2024-2026, emergency response strategies for 2024-2027, and a Ministerial Statement aimed at improving regional ferry service safety. The results of the Russian-Indonesian co-chairmanship of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meetings on ICT security from 2022 to 2024 were also reviewed, showcasing a series of practical initiatives to combat cybercrime.