Russia values relations with all of Asia: Lavrov

Moscow values relations with all of Asia and would like to boost cooperation with all its subregions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said this while addressing the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament).

"You first mentioned Southeast Asia. North Korea is in Northeast Asia, but we care about all of Asia," he pointed out.

According to Lavrov, Russia has "an extensive system of relations with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," which involves annual meetings of foreign ministers and defense chiefs, as well as a forum on regional security architecture. "Undoubtedly, the situation in Northeast Asia - on the Korean Peninsula - is no less important for us because it’s very close to our border," he added.

The Russian foreign minister also said that Moscow saw development prospects "in uniting the efforts of the existing subregional institutions, including ASEAN," aimed at creating a continent-wide organization.