TRADE and security issues, to no one’s surprise, took center stage during the ASEAN-Russia Summit in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. The summit, hosted by Vladimir Putin, welcomed the 10 ASEAN member nations as he seeks to improve Russia’s strategic regional influence after being rightfully shunned by the West for its meddling in Ukraine
Even if Russia has long made its “Turn to the East” policy a priority, Putin has been slow to advance its goals and to tap into the markets of China, Japan and the ASEAN nations. Following the completion of the long-awaited ASEAN Economic Community in …read more
Source: Asian Correspondent
