The President's opening remarks at the first plenary session of the Russia-ASEAN summit The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has built a reputation not just in the Asia Pacific Region, but globally. It has withstood the test of time. It has built a system of interstate cooperation based on mutually recognised norms of international law and mutual respect of interests of one another. It is those very principles that are at the base of the relations between Russia and ASEAN. They have reached the level of a strategic partnership that, during the times of geopolitical turbulence, is the most important stabilising factor in the Asia-Pacific region. It is contributing to the forming of a balanced architecture of security as well as mutually beneficial cooperation. The summit marks the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations. See more on the Kremlin’s official website .