On August 21 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, current results and prospects of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were discussed during Russia–ASEAN consultations of senior economic officials. The Eurasian Economic Commission was represented by Mikael Belluyan, Director of the EEC Integration Development Department.
The EEC representative summed up implementation results of the Cooperation Program between the EEC and ASEAN until 2025 emphasizing positive dialogue dynamics and high potential for enhancing it further.
"This year, we finish implementing the Cooperation Program for 2021-2025. In this period, we have achieved significant results. The institutional framework for cooperation has been created and reinforced, new interaction formats and mechanisms have been tested including EAEU-ASEAN Days, sectoral seminars, business dialogue guest sessions," told Mikael Belluyan.
The EEC Department Director also told about the work on the new Cooperation Program between the EEC and ASEAN for 2026-2030.
"This document focuses both on the proven cooperation formats and expanding sectoral interaction. Among the new areas are agriculture, competition policy and law enforcement, cross-border and international freight transportation. The new program will pay special attention to developing dialogue on sustainable development, digitalization, innovation and technological progress," commented Head of the EEC Integration Development Department.
Mikael Belluyan and Satvinder Singh, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General, discussed medium-term plans including toward granting the EAEU the ASEAN sectoral or dialogue partner status.
On the sidelines of the consultations the EEC also held working meetings with its partners from the ASEAN countries. Discussion with Malaysian representatives covered prospects for interaction formalization and holding an EAEU presentation for officials of this country at the EEC headquarters.
With the delegation of Indonesia, the EEC addressed holding the first meeting of the joint working group in pursuance of the Memorandum of Cooperation.
