Laos’ ASEAN presidency to help boost Russia-Asia ties- Putin

Laos national flag. Source: takau99 / Flickr.com 

Laos' upcoming presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) could help Russia enhance its trade and economic ties with Asia, Sputnik News cited Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying.

Russia’s Cold War-era ally, Laos will take over the presidency of the Southeast Asian grouping in 2016.

“Laos will chair the ASEAN and it is very important for Russia for restoring and expanding our ties with Asia,” Putin said at a meeting with his Lao counterpart Choummaly Sayasone, according to the report.  “We have a high-level dialogue, which was given a momentum, and we should take advantage of it to expand trade and economic relations.” 

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.