Asia-Pacific peace and prosperity, based on equality, in Russia's interests
Sergey Lavrov says by strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific, Russia hopes to foster regional stability and economic prosperity based on equitable co-operation
Recent years have witnessed deep geopolitical shifts that have fundamentally changed the global landscape. Against this backdrop, the role of the Asia-Pacific region is rising, becoming a significant factor that is determining mainstream international developments, and becoming an influential player in the emerging polycentric world order.
In today's global economic and financial turmoil, in spite of a slight slowdown in their high growth rates, Asia-Pacific states will remain the locomotive of global progress.
As an integral and organic part of the region, Russia is also strengthening its presence here. For us, this is a matter of principle. Our greater involvement in regional community affairs is a precondition for securing continued national development as well as the social and economic rise of Siberia and the far east.
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This is our clear commitment to ensure the strength, stability, security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. Intensification of the "Eastern" track policy, development of regional bilateral ties and participation in intergovernmental structures are among Russia's foreign policy priorities. This was noted in the new edition of our Foreign Policy Concept signed by President Vladimir Putin in February.
Russia's policy in the Asia-Pacific is aimed at a truly stable balance of power and elaboration of a cohesive regional agenda. Implementation of these goals is based on the foundation of our bilateral relations with countries in the region, many of which enjoy time-tested friendship and multifaceted co-operation. Our contacts with China, India and Vietnam have been upgraded to strategic partnerships. Ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the US, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia and Canada are also developing.
The increasing engagement of Russia with inter-governmental organisations and dialogue mechanisms - the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, BRICS forum, Asean Regional Forum, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, Asia Co-operation Dialogue, Russia-India-China format, East Asia Summit and Asia-Europe dialogue - is of key importance.
The logic of Russia's foreign policy in the region comes from the recognition that it is crucial to create an environment of international relations in the region in line with modern realities.
The Asia-Pacific needs a system to ensure equitable co-operation, a genuine balance of power, and harmony of interests. Every country needs to participate in drafting a new agenda for regional relations and in resolving urgent development problems. We advocate a non-discriminatory regional order with no imposition of unilateral approaches, or division into leaders and supporters, but with interstate communication based on trust and respect.