�� On March 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a traditional meeting with the ambassadors of #ASEAN member states accredited in Moscow.

In the context of the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations that this year marks, the sides engaged in a substantive discussion on advancing #RussiaASEAN strategic partnership across a wide range of areas, including countering common challenges and threats, trade and investment, high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries, digitalisation, energy, and the expansion of business and youth contacts.

The main focus was on putting together anniversary events and agreeing upon a new medium-term policy document.

A thorough exchange of views on international and regional priorities reinforced the importance of Russia-ASEAN dialogue for building stable security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on respect for international law, equality, and openness.

Prospects for aligning integration processes in Eurasia, strengthening ASEAN-EAEU and ASEAN-SCO cooperation, as well as establishing contacts on the ASEAN-BRICS track, were highlighted.

�� The meeting was held in a traditionally friendly atmosphere.