The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok and initially comprised Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and Cambodia became the member states later. Papua New Guinea has a special observer status. East Timor applied for an observer status in 2002.
ASEAN aims to promote the development of socio-economic and cultural cooperation of the member states as well as to consolidate peace and stability in Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN Vision 2020 outlines the main political and economic guidelines for the member states. It was adopted at the 5th summit "Partnership in Dynamic Development" held in Kuala Lumpur in 1997.
Since July 1996 Russia has developed a full-scale dialogue partnership with ASEAN. During this period, a legal framework for interaction was formed. It includes:
— Joint Declaration of the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and ASEAN on Partnership for Peace and Security, and Prosperity and Development in the Asia-Pacific Region (June 19, 2003 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia);
— Russian Federation – ASEAN Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism (July 2, 2004, Jakarta, Indonesia);
— Joint Declaration on the Development of a Universal Partnership (December 13, 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia);
— Agreement between the Governments of the ASEAN Member Countries and the Government of the Russian Federation on Economic and Development Cooperation (December 10, 2005, Kuala Lumpur; entered into force on August 11, 2006);
— Comprehensive Plan of Action to Promote Cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation 2016-2017.
ASEAN-Russia Cooperation in Tourism
Comprehensive Programme of Action to Promote Cooperation between ASEAN and Agreement between the Governments of the ASEAN Member Countries and the Government of the Russian Federation on Economic and Development Cooperation provide for the organization of Russia-ASEAN consultations on tourism.
So far 10 Russia-ASEAN consultations have been held. The main area of work is project activities, including the "Russian Language Course for ASEAN Tour Operators”.
The ASEAN representatives emphasize the importance of this work due to the acute shortage of Russian-speaking personnel to service Russian tourists visiting the region.
The implementation of language projects contributes to improving the quality of services delivered to Russian tourists, as well as strengthening the positive image of Russia in Southeast Asia through the promotion of the Russian language in international tourism.
Stage 1 of the program took place in 2010. It included two months of distance learning and one month of full-time training in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Stage 2 of the program was launched in 2015. It started with distance courses that received 40 applications. In October 2015, 29 selected applicants successfully completed a full-time training in Cambodia.
Stage 3 of the program ended in October 2017. 20 tourism professionals from Southeast Asia took part in the project of the Federal Agency for Tourism "Advanced Russian Language Training for ASEAN Tour Operators". The course was held at Russian State University of Tourism and Services Studies (RSUTS).
Stage 4 of the program was implemented between October 27 and November 27, 2019. 80 tourism professionals from Southeast Asia completed a one-month full-time course at Russian State University of Tourism and Services Studies (RSUTS). The course involved an advanced Russian language training as well as cultural and historical studies. The course participants also acquired skills necessary for organising guided tours and delivering quality tourist services.
