"Russia's partnership with ASEAN actually contributes to stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Lavrov said at the Russia-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
ASEAN remains a "reliable friend and like-minded partner" of Russia's, Lavrov said, noting their shared support for "broad international cooperation on an equal footing based on the UN Charter."
The minister reiterated Moscow’s long-standing support for ASEAN’s central role in regional affairs.
Lavrov arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a two-day visit. In Kuala Lumpur, the minister will attend the annual ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, the Russia-ASEAN meeting, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security.