Moscow, Nov 14 (Prensa Latina) Russian President Vladimir Putin today called for strengthening trade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by attending his country''s ASEAN summit in Singapore. The Russian President recalled that, in May 2016, a declaration and an action plan were approved, aimed at taking collaboration with the ASEAN states to the level of strategic partnership.
Putin recalled that in the last two years the level of political dialogue has been raised, with the opening in 2017 of a Russian representation in Asean, located in Jakarta, where positions on Asia-Pacific problems are coordinated.
Furthermore, in that context we also addressed the challenges and threats to regional stability, strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime, he stressed.
Last year, trade between Russia and Singapore grew 35 percent, while mutual investments reached $25 billion.
Putin met with the head of the Asian country and attended the laying of the first stone of the Russian Center and the first Orthodox Church in that Asian state.
The Russian head of state is also attending the 13th Eastern Summit in Singapore.