This conference organized by the ISEAS undoubtedly presents an important landmark in relations between academic communities of Russia and the ASEAN countries. Moreover the mere fact of holding this conference reflects a growing interest between our countries, our societies in promoting more close and mutually beneficial relationship on a wide range of issues — political, economic, cultural.

It is worth noting in this regard that the ISEAS-IMEMO conference is organized on the eve of the first Russia-ASEAN Summit which is to be held later this year. And it is quite logical therefore that the conference agenda addresses most crucial political, economic and security problems that evoke mutual interest and concern. I wish that conference participants will concentrate not only on analysing these problems but may work out concrete recommendations to our respective governments, academic and business communities on strengthening and broadening our cooperation.

Russia now pursues an ambitious national development strategy going far beyond resolution of economic and social problems it inherited from the previous times. In fact, the strategy is aimed at laying a solid foundation for a sustained progress of Russia as a democratic and prosperous country ready to cooperate with other nations. While pursuing these goals, Russia is particularly interested in promoting cooperation with the countries of East and Southeast Asia. For these purposes, Russia intends to use its considerable potential of human, industrial and natural resources as well as to take an active part in the now strengthening regional cooperation in East Asia. It also believes that in the process of such cooperation with regional countries on a bilateral as well as multilateral basis, the development of its own regions of Siberia and the Far East will be greatly facilitated.

I sincerely hope that the forthcoming discussions at our conference covering these and other issues of the Russia-ASEAN relationship will be both thought provoking and intellectually rewarding.