PH Joins Inaugural Meeting of ASEAN-Russia Think-Tanks in Moscow
ASEAN and Russian think-tank representatives gather together for the inaugural meeting of the Network of ASEAN-Russia Think-Tanks at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University on 20-21 April 2018. (Photo by L. Camoying)
MOSCOW 30 April 2018 – Foreign Service Institute Director-General Claro Cristobal represented the Philippines at the inaugural meeting of the ASEAN-Russia Think-Tank Network (NARTT) which was held at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University on 20-21 April 2018. Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos D. Sorreta and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Luningning G. Camoying also attended the meeting.
NARTT is a track 1.5 mechanism mandated to provide intellectual support for the development of the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership through the conduct of joint research, workshops, seminars, and academic exchanges.
The Philippines proposed the idea of a think-tank network in 2015. It was adopted by the ASEAN-Russia Eminent Persons Group (AREPG) in 2016 and eventually endorsed by ASEAN and Russian foreign ministers at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference on 6 August 2017 in Manila.
At this inaugural meeting, ASEAN and Russian think-tank representatives discussed regional security issues and possible modalities of cooperation. They adopted a set of recommendations for consideration by ASEAN and Russian Senior Officials who will convene in Moscow on 17-18 May 2018 as well as the NARTT Terms of Reference.
Ambassador Sorreta who was the Philippine representative to the AREPG welcomed the establishment of NARTT noting the crucial role it will play in bridging the information gap between ASEAN and Russia. END
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Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta (3rd from left) joins FSI Director-General Claro Cristobal (4th from left) and other representatives from ASEAN and Russia at the inaugural meeting of NARTT on 20-21 April 2018 at the MGIMO University in Moscow. (Photo by L. Camoying)