ASEAN Understands Root Causes of European Crisis, Refuses to Isolate Russia — Russian Foreign Ministry

Moscow (ANTARA) - Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) fully understand the root causes of the crisis in Europe and do not support Western attempts to isolate Russia, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“I can confirm that they understand the root causes of what is happening there, whilst the Europeans themselves do not even want to see what they have done and who is truly responsible,” Zakharova said in an interview with Sputnik Radio on Wednesday.

According to her, a number of officials representing their countries and involved in international politics, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian regions, deeply understand Russia’s position and what is happening in the world.

“They are fully aware of it. There is no isolation of Russia in that region, even as a concept,” she added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Manila on Tuesday to attend a series of meetings hosted by ASEAN.

During the visit, Lavrov was scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, take part in Russia-ASEAN consultations, and participate in the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which addresses security issues.

“We have published photographs from the gala dinner last evening. Just look at how Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov was received. He entered the room when all the participants were already seated, but the official part had not yet begun. In the photographs, around 10 to 15 people can be seen standing and gathering around him,” Zakharova said.

Zakharova added that those who greeted Lavrov were the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries as well as participants from dialogue partner nations.

According to her, the reception was an indicator of the attitude of the region’s leaders towards what is happening on the European continent.

ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently comprises 11 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti