First-ever Russia-ASEAN summit to be held in Malaysia in 2005

The first-ever Russia-ASEAN summit can be held in Malaysia in 2005, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists.

"The initiative to hold a Russia-ASEAN summit was forwarded following the ASEAN ministerial session," he said.

"We promised to hand the invitation to President Vladimir Putin," Mr. Lavrov noted.

In his words, in 2005 Malaysia will host an ASEAN summit. "All ASEAN member-states would like to hold the first-ever Russia-ASEAN summit as part of this meeting," the Russian Foreign Minister added.

Russia is playing an important role on the international scene, said ASEAN cochairman, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs Shunmugam Jayakumar.

On Thursday ASEAN Foreign Ministers met with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Jakarta.

According to Mr. Jayakumar, Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the G8 is a key figure in such regional organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia) and an active participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Shunmugam Jayakumar came out for the development of Russia-ASEAN dialogue which is an important instrument to achieve mutual understanding between Russia and ASEAN member-states. Moreover, he pointed out to Russia's geopolitical authority and economic growth.

At RIA Novosti's request Sergei Lavrov commented on the possible practical consequences of the signing of the Russia-ASEAN anti-terrorist declaration.

"The declaration lays down the cooperation principles between Russian and ASEAN relevant services and creates additional legal frameworks for practical counter-terrorist measures," he said.

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, the declaration will be signed on July 2.