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Earlier in the day, Mr Putin held a number of bilateral meetings with the heads of the delegations to the summit.

Speech at reception

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a genuine pleasure to welcome the heads of delegations and all guests from the ASEAN countries to Russia, to Sochi, a city renowned for its warmth and hospitality, and a city that has also now become a symbol of the Olympic movement, the essence of which is to bring people together.

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the partnership between Russia and ASEAN. Right from the start, our cooperation was built on the principles of mutual advantage and respect for each other’s interests. We also share similar approaches to resolving many of today’s problems.

This is the first time Russia is hosting a meeting in this format. We view this as confirmation of the ASEAN countries’ growing interest in stronger ties with our country.

We have prepared for this summit the Sochi Declaration, which sets out our main task – to take the partnership between Russia and ASEAN to a new, strategic level. This will enable us to make better use of our potential to develop cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields, and of course, to work together on regional and international security issues.

It is important that both Russia and the ASEAN countries support stronger integration and links between the big economic projects underway in the Asia-Pacific region. Tomorrow, we will discuss the prospects for developing a broad trans-boundary partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union, ASEAN, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

I would like to stress that we are prepared for constructive joint work in the interests of our countries and peoples. I have no doubt that we will achieve success.

Tomorrow, we have work to do, but today, let me wish a pleasant evening to all my colleagues and their spouses.

I would like to raise a toast to the heads of delegations and to everyone present, to the prosperity of our peoples and to continued close and productive cooperation between Russia and the ASEAN countries.

Thank you.