On behalf of my ASEAN colleagues. I would like to warmly welcome Your Excellency and members of your delegation to this first Dialogue Session between ASEAN and the Russian Federation.

We also like to extend our warmest congratulation to the Russian Federation on its being elevated to full dialogue partner of ASEAN. This is a timely and logical major step forward in the process of the relations between ASEAN and the Russian Federation, which indicates that ASEAN highly values the role Russian Federation in Asia-Pacific and the importance that both ASEAN and Russia place on fostering closer ties for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world over. Together with India and China, the participation of Russian in the PMC process as full dialogue partner has not only helped enhance the ASEAN's position but also contributed to the trend of growing regional and international cooperation.

Within the frame-work of the ASEAN-Russia dialogue, I am particularly proud that Vietnam has been entrusted with the responsibility as the first country coordinator in the dialogue between ASEAN and Russia. This first meeting is an excellent opportunity for us to discuss in a constructive way all matters of mutual concern. We will also work out direction for our dialogue relationship in the years to come.

We always follow with profound interest the situation in the Russian Federation. We are confident that the Russian people - a creative and industrious people with splendid culture, is bound to overcome all difficulties in order to build their country of happiness, thus making worthy contribution to peace and cooperation in the world.

ASEAN notes with satisfaction that the process of interactions with the Russian Federation since the latter became a consultative partner in 1992 has deepened the mutual understanding, effectively serving the became one of the founding member of the ARF.

Russia is a big power with three fourths of its territory in Asia. We welcome the growing attention that Russia has recently paid to Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia. We also hold that Russia has legitimate interests and is capable of playing a positive role in this region. Russia's active involvement in the process of regional dialogue represents a significant contribution to the stability and security of the region. ASEAN highly values the commitment and contribution by Russia to the ARF process, which is demonstrated among others by hosting last April in Moscow the ARF's Track-II seminar on the principles on security and stability in Asia-Pacific. In this spirit, we welcome Russia's readiness to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and its support for the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea. We are pleased to note the support rendered by the Russian Federation for the SEANWFZ and hope that Russia will soon accede to the Protocol of the Treaty.

ASEAN is located in one of the region of the most dynamic growth in the world. We are convinced that the Russian Federation with its huge economic and scientific-technological potentials, could greatly contribute to the development of ASEAN. For its part, ASEAN will through cooperation supplement to Russia's economic development. The establishment of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Scientific and Technological Committee is needed to promote the cooperation between the two sides in this important field. We very much appreciate the great potentials of the Russian Federation in terms of science and technology, including the basic research area. This will be an important venue for future cooperation between ASEAN and Russia.

We are happy to see the continued increase in our bilateral trade. During 1994-1995, the two-way trade volume increased by (8)%, up from US$ 1.6 billion to US$ 4.5 billion. Today, 50 joint ventures between ASEAN and Russia have been in place in the region. However, this growth is not commensurate with the great potentials of the two sides. The Russian Federation is seen as a very attractive market with rich natural resources and no small amount of industrial achievements. As a region of dynamic growth, ASEAN also constitutes a significant market for Russia. Greater efforts are needed by both sides to ensure better cooperation through appropriate mechanism to effectively tap this potential for mutual benefits. Cooperation in tourism, culture, education, arts and investment are far from being commensurate with the capacities and desires of the two sides, and thereby needs to be properly encouraged for development.

With a view to having the dialogue process to develop fruitfully between the two sides, ASEAN holds that the two sides should determine and chart the directions for this dialogue relationship. We very much look forward to hearing from you on this issue.

For its part, ASEAN believes that the elevation of Russia to a status of full dialogue partner is an important milestone in the relations between ASEAN and the Russian Federation in the immediate future, this dialogue relationship should focus on political consultations and economic and scientific cooperation. We could set up a practical and effective mechanism together with PMC + 10 ( PMC Plus Ten ) and the ARF are proper fora where the two sides can work together for the common objectives. It was agreed in 1994 that the ASEAN-Moscow Committee would be established. In this connection, ASEAN has agreed to set up the ASEAN-Russia Scientific and Technological Commission and the Terms of Reference for this Commission is to be considered at the ASEAN COST 33rd Meeting in July this year. Proceeding from our high appreciation of the potential of the Russian Federation - a world power, we hope that Russia will soon establish, like other dialogue partners, the Cooperation Fund with ASEAN.

As a country that has entertained good traditional relations of friendship and many-sided cooperation with the Russian Federation and with the good personal bounds between Your Excellency Minister and myself, we will together do our best to contribute to promoting the ASEAN - Russia Dialogue in the common interest of the two sides and for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific and the world over.

Thank You.