Russia-APEC: Broad horizons of cooperation

Vladimir Putin, Moscow

Development of the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) to which in the view of many experts the center of gravity of world politics and economy is gradually shifting, is really amazing. One can often hear suggestions that an economic miracle is being born here. There is a certain reason to say so. However, a more pragmatic approach is the one I like more. After all, one can only hope for a miracle yet. Here we witness the results of large-scale and intensive work being carried out by the APR economies. Suffice it to say that the region produces two thirds of the global GNP and a considerable part of world investments is concentrated here.

Russia seeks to make its meaningful contribution to the economic development of this region. The annual growth rates of goods turnover of our country with APR economies are over 20 percent. For example, trade with China increases by 20-30 percent annually and by the end of the current year is likely to reach a record level for our states -- US$25 billion. The same trends can be seen also in our performance with other APR economies. In our actions and plans we proceed from the understanding that Russia is an inalienable part of the APR.

This region is not only a space of rapid economic growth. Here we witness positive effects of globalization, that is, gradual leveling-off of social and economic development of different regions of the world. Another APR distinguishing aspect is high dynamics of integration processes which positively influence the formation of a new and more equitable world order. This desire to address regional problems collectively is of great importance and value.

We realize that development of Russia can only be successful if we participate most actively in the regional integration process. Constructive involvement in these processes is our strategic choice and a most important task for the foreseeable future. Russia was guided by precisely these considerations when in 1998 it joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Yet, the time has come to assess the results and the possibility of timely fulfillment of the Bogor Goals, i.e. the program of establishing a free and open trade and investment regime in the region. I would emphasize here that it is the strategic objectives defined in Bogor, rather than details, that are important. In my opinion, the APEC does have something to offer to the world. The principal point is that all the APEC economies, including Russia, have deliberately chosen the path of trade and investment liberalization and have already gone through different in length, but equal in significance, parts of this way.

Let us recall that the Bogor Goals were adopted eleven years ago when the APEC focused on "pure economy". At that time, who could, for example, foresee the scale of the terrorist threat? Yet, after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States the tasks of fighting terrorism and countering other threats firmly established themselves as priority topics on the APEC agenda. Russia regards APEC as an important instrument of strengthening the antiterrorist front in both regional and global dimensions.

It is logical that today main attention is paid to uniting efforts to stop financial support of terrorist organizations. However, to the APEC's credit, it does not limit itself solely to this line of activity. The APEC leaders noted the need for joint steps to weaken the "resource" base of terror -- prevention of illicit turnover of MANPADS and strengthening the non- proliferation regimes in the region. In its turn, an active cooperation in eliminating economic underdevelopment, curbing organized crime and fighting corruption gradually reduces the fertile ground for these negative phenomena.

Russia is interested in further interaction across the entire spectrum of our objectives, including guarantees of equal access of all economies to the advantages of globalization. I would single out a most urgent problem of preparedness for emergency situations. We all remember and mourn the victims of natural disasters which befell a number of regional countries. Joint active relief efforts are continuing.

However, it is no less important to improve cooperation in establishing efficient early warning mechanisms for such catastrophes. I am sure the APEC can do a lot in this respect. Russia is prepared to make its own contribution to this activity. We have considerate high technology expertise relating to forecasting natural disasters, environmental monitoring, development of systems for early warning and evacuation of people and mitigating consequences of natural disasters. We are in favor of developing joint projects in this sphere.

In general, from the very beginning of our participation in the APEC Russia emphasized its technological potential which has excellent prospects. And not only in the industrial area, but in area of medical and biological technologies as well.

We take a very serious and responsible attitude to the areas of our common activities, such as energy and transport. Because of its geographic position and resource potential -- not only raw materials but also technological and intellectual one -- Russia is prepared to play a key role in the formation of a new transport and energy architecture in the APR.

Acceding the APEC seven years ago, Russia understood very well its unique potential as a transit territory. Transportation of goods through our territory proves to be much cheaper than the choice of other trade routes. I am referring to the cargo flows between the two powerful centers of the world economy -- Pacific and European. We have already accumulated a meaningful practical experience in this sphere.

I will cite here an example, may be unexpected for many, the TransKorean main route. This project which aims at providing the delivery of goods from the South to the North of Korea is going gradually forward. But at a pace that, because of the slow progress in the "Korean nuclear issue", cannot be called rapid. The existence of such a project which makes the cost of transportation of goods between Europe and Asia significantly lower is one of the elements of patient efforts which Russia, together with other participants in the six-party negotiations on Korea, is taking to make the Korean Peninsula a zone of peaceful cooperation and development. Sooner or later it will become such a zone.

Participation in the APEC is an undeniable and long-term priority of the foreign policy and foreign economic policy of Russia towards the APR. Our objective is to promote economic and social development of our country, above all the regions of Siberia and the Far East. Two main and interrelated tasks are obvious in this context. The first one is to apply in our country common standards and collective practical experience of the APEC consistent with our national interests, requirements and potential. The second one is to promote, through the APEC, Russian technologies, conceptual designs, methodologies, as well as specific products, technologies and equipment.

The writer is President of the Russian Federation. The above article is a shortened version of the President's writing which was sent to several newspapers, including The Jakarta Post.