Vietnam's Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam on August 22 attended the second ASEAN – Russian Consultations of the High Representatives for Security Issues, which was held in the videoconferencing form.

The event discussed related issues and challenges posed to the security and political situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the security issues of Russia and ASEAN.

The 2nd ASEAN-Russia Consultations of High Representatives for Security Issues seminar in progress online (Photo: gnlm.com.mm).

The seminar was attended by high-ranking officers from Russia and ASEAN member countries and U Htet Aung, Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry at Union Government Office 1.

In the seminar, Russia's Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolay Patrushev said that: "ASEAN is one of the fundamental formats of political interaction in the Asia-Pacific Region (APAC). Our country intends to activate multifaceted strategic dialogue with the association, expand practical cooperation in all directions as well as work jointly on reacting to problems emerging in the region,"

In his opinion, the system of dialogue mechanisms created by the association plays a defining role in ensuring peace, stability and mutual trust between the region’s key players.

"Russia invariably supports the preservation of the ASEAN-centric system of transnational relations in the region. The ideals promoted by ‘the group of ten’ are in sync with the Russian concept of equitable and indivisible security," he emphasized. Patrushev noted that thanks to this, the association’s member states with ease find common ground in such a complex sphere as ensuring security and maintaining strategic stability in the APAC region.

At the function, participants discussed strategic stability in Asia-Pacific, including arms control and non-proliferation mechanisms, as well as its impact on regional security and the political situation in the context of increasing tensions between major powers.

Vietnam backs increasing ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership

Minister of Public Security General To Lam (middle) leading a high-ranking security delegation of Vietnam on August 22 attended the conference (Photo: VNA).

Vietnam consistently supports the strengthening of the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership, affirmed Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam at the event.

He stressed that given that the world's political-security landscape is undergoing profound changes, ASEAN continues to promote its central role in regional cooperation and is a responsible partner of the international community.

Over the past three decades, ASEAN and Russia have maintained a good relationship on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation for peace, stability and development, he noted.

To further strengthen such ties, the official suggested Russia actively participate in ASEAN-hosted forums, support the bloc’s centrality and efforts to promote dialogue, cooperation, and response to emerging challenges, particularly regarding maritime and aviation security and safety in the region.

He recommended Russia support ASEAN's principled stance on the South China Sea issue as well as its efforts to build an effective, efficient Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He said the sides should step up collaboration in traditional security issues and new challenges such as terrorism, and organised, transnational, and high-tech crimes, and that ASEAN and Russia should also study expanding the sharing of professional information between their law enforcement agencies.

"It is necessary for the sides to boost consultations towards the signing of the Protocol to the Treaty on The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, and coordinate to effectively implement their statement on Cooperation against Illicit Drugs Trafficking and their dialogue mechanism on IT security issues" said Lam.

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