How is Russia opening the gates to Southeast Asia?
Author: Naeem Asghari, analyst (Germany), especially for Sangar
On September 10, 2023, the Eastern Economic Forum kicked off for the eighth time in the capital of the Russian Far East, Vladivostok, with a rich program lasting three days.
Despite the West's attempts to isolate Russia, representatives of Belarus, Vietnam, India, Kazakhstan, China, North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and the Philippines expressed a desire to take part in it.
The forum itself promises to become one of the international platforms where issues of interaction will be discussed, which is not clearly indicated by the motto of this event: “On the path to cooperation, peace and prosperity”.
According to the organizers of the event, more than 7 thousand people will take part in it, including media representatives from more than 50 foreign countries. Representatives from countries of the unfriendly bloc are also expected to attend.
In addition to solving global problems for the Far Eastern region, within the framework of the Youth Program at the EEF 2023, issues such as the development of the Eastern Test Site, the creation of an alternative international monetary and financial system, the development of scientific diplomacy, cross-border cooperation, technology, and the use of artificial intelligence will be discussed.
Special attention will be paid to business dialogues. Russian entrepreneurs will meet with colleagues from India, China, Mongolia and ASEAN countries. According to the Russian authorities, the result will be a large number of new investment agreements with foreign participation, which will bring new projects, technologies, jobs to the Far Eastern land and will become the key to strong friendship between our countries.
The importance of this economic platform for Russia is also evidenced by the fact that the Russian President traditionally takes part in it, who will speak on September 12 at the plenary session together with the Vice President of Laos, Pani Yathotou.
The possible participation in the event of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whose visit was reported by the American edition of the New York Times, is also not unimportant. A number of experts express the opinion that the visit of the North Korean leader is primarily associated with the deterioration of the situation in the Asia-Pacific region. And if the arrival of the head of the DPRK takes place, then there is a possibility that the leaders of Russia and North Korea will discuss pressing issues in the region, including economic cooperation between the countries.
On the other hand, at a time when the West is trying to destroy contacts and relations between countries and Russia, to isolate it, such events also show that Moscow is not at all confused and has not lost its position on the world stage. By opening up various areas of cooperation to new partners and sharing mutually beneficial trade and economic projects with them, Russia is finding new fellow travelers on the path to a multipolar world.
Asian countries, including ASEAN members (Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines - a total of 10 countries), most of which participate in the Far Eastern Economic Forum, are also not protected from the insidious plans of the United States and the West, which have long created vital dangers against their interests, as in the case of Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other countries. They see Russia as a strong military partner who came to them through the economic gates.
Previously, Russia also organized a major forum and summit in St. Petersburg with the participation of African countries.
