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KUALA LUMPUR - Russia and 10 Southeast Asian countries vowed Tuesday to work together in fighting terrorism and stimulating wealth as part of a new partnership signed at the first Russia-ASEAN summit.
But despite being welcomed as a regular summit partner by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Russia faced an uphill battle in its stated desire to play a more influential role in wider Asia-Pacific affairs.
President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur a day after making a lightning dash to the war-torn Russian province of Chechnya, held inaugural summit talks with his ASEAN counterparts for around 90 minutes.
That meeting was capped by the signing of a joint 27-point declaration of "comprehensive partnership" between Russia and ASEAN along with a detailed action plan that officials described as a "road map" for the next 10 years.
"These documents will be used to steer ahead," the summit host, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said after the formal signing ceremony.
"I am happy that the discussions today have gone very smoothly."
The declaration contained a number of points aligned with some of Moscow's prime foreign policy objectives, including affirmation of UN pre-eminence in international affairs and an emphasis on the dangers of global terrorism.
Russia and ASEAN reaffirmed their determination to counter terrorism and "recognize it as one of the most serious challenges that the international community faces today," the declaration said.
The two sides stated that in an era of globalization they were mutually dependent for the security and development of their countries and pledged to consolidate dialogue with a view to promoting economic expansion for both.
They also agreed to make Russia-ASEAN summits a regular event in the future.
However, even before the Russia-ASEAN summit began it was clear that Moscow's go-fast approach to asserting more influence in the wider Asia-Pacific region's affairs was in for a bumpy ride.
Putin was due on Wednesday to address an inaugural summit of a new grouping -- the East Asia Summit, which includes ASEAN and six other regional powers -- as a guest and not a full-fledged participant.
Ahead of Putin's arrival in Malaysia, it was reported that Russia's desire to play a full role in the East Asia Summit had been opposed by some members of ASEAN, many of whom are traditionally close to the United States.
Abdullah however seemed to scotch that notion, indicating instead that it may be China that was not anxious to see its giant neighbour Russia fully take part in the East Asia Summit (EAS).
He said it was the non-ASEAN participants in Wednesday's summit -- that is, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand -- that "also appear to be against the inclusion of Russia".
"We believe that Russia's participation in the EAS is the key to keeping it as an open and outward-looking forum," he said, adding: "We hope China would continue to support Russia's admission in the EAS."
Russian officials have played down the minor role assigned to Putin at Wednesday's inaugural EAS -- he will be permitted to give a brief address to the summit but not attend the leaders' retreat.
Officials travelling with Putin could not immediately be reached to comment on Abdullah's remarks.
On a more positive note for the Kremlin, however, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo proposed the creation of a new anti-terrorism coalition between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and China.
Putin is eager to see this group, which includes five ex-Soviet republics in Central Asia still dominated by Moscow, play a more significant role in Asian security and economic affairs.
Arroyo told reporters that the Russian president "was very enthusiastic" about her proposal and "promised to cooperate in bringing that about." - AFP/ir
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