Philippines Champions Maritime Cooperation, Technical Vocational Education, Training at Special ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. joins his fellow ASEAN Member States and the Russian Federation at the Special ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. (Screenshot from the meeting)
MANILA 06 July 2021 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. championed maritime cooperation, ASEAN centrality, and collaboration between ASEAN and Russia on technical vocational education and training (TVET) at the Special ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on 6 July 2021 via video conference. This year marks a milestone for ASEAN and Russia with the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations established in 1996.
Secretary Locsin propounded that Russia’s image of a “two-headed eagle is the right symbol for a power both European and Asian in geographic extent and, therefore, with a more compelling and concrete reason to be deeply involved in ASEAN than any other aspirant.”
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, emphasized that the “strategic dialogue between ASEAN and Russia is an important factor in ensuring security and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.” He underscored the central role of ASEAN centrality and the inclusiveness of the ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus, in maintaining peace and cooperation in the region.
Russia expressed its appreciation to the ADMM Plus for the support on the conduct of an ASEAN-Russia Naval Exercise later this year, in which Secretary Locsin stressed that Russia’s presence will enhance the defense status of our region.
To further boost political and security cooperation with ASEAN, Foreign Minister Lavrov announced that Russia proposes the issuance of two joint statements at the ASEAN-Russia Summit in October: (1) a statement supporting the ASEAN-centric mechanisms, and its basic role in regional architecture; and (2) a statement on countering drug threat in the region. Both proposed Statements will support the new Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership 2021-2025 to be endorsed by the Leaders during the said Summit.
In terms of COVID-19 response, Russia is ready to provide practical and consultative assistance to ASEAN, including sending epidemiologists to the region, test systems, medicines, and vaccines. It also plans to resume the training courses for epidemiologists from ASEAN Member States in Vladivostok.
Secretary Locsin during his delivery of the Philippine intervention highlighting Philippine priorities for the ASEAN-Russia cooperation. (DFA photo)
Secretary Locsin lauded Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccines as the only Lancet peer-reviewed vaccine, and among the highest in effectiveness. He thanked Russia for its generosity in donating vaccines to ASEAN Member States, as well as with its plans to provide licensing agreements with China and India for domestic production in the region.
Foreign Minister Lavrov announced that 2022 will be designated as the “Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation between ASEAN and Russia,” which will focus on the post-COVID-19 rehabilitation of the economy and development of high-tech and innovative areas of cooperation.
Secretary Locsin urged the Russian Federation to collaborate with the ASEAN TVET Council, which the Philippines chairs until 2022, for regional sharing of knowledge and best practices to soften the impact of the next pandemic.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi of the Republic of Indonesia, as Country Coordinator of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations, and Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. END