ASEAN officials in Moscow

ASEAN officials in Moscow

MOSCOW (AP): Southeast Asian officials discussed the turmoil
in Asia's financial markets and recent nuclear tests by India and
Pakistan during a meeting in Moscow yesterday, news agencies
said.

Russian foreign ministry officials also took part in the
conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as part
of plans to expand Russia's relations with ASEAN, the ITAR-Tass
and Interfax news agencies reported.

"Holding regular consultations on international and regional
issues demonstrates our desire for closer political ties, based
on the similarity of Russia's and ASEAN positions," Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin was quoted as saying.

ASEAN secretary-general Rodolfo Severino was also to hold
separate talks with top officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry
and the Ministry of Science and Technology, ITAR-Tass said.