On November 12, 2013 the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) presented its working paper "Russia-Republic of Korea Relations: Revising the Bilateral Agenda" in the International multimedia press-center of RIA-Novosti.
RIAC President Igor Ivanov, RIAC Director General Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeev, RIAC member and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Alexander Panov and RIAC Project Director and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Gleb Ivashentsov answered the journalists' questions.
On November 12, 2013 the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) presented its working paper "Russia-Republic of Korea Relations: Revising the Bilateral Agenda" in the International multimedia press-center of RIA-Novosti.
RIAC President Igor Ivanov, RIAC Director General Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeev, RIAC member and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Alexander Panov and RIAC Project Director and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Gleb Ivashentsov answered the journalists' questions.
Taking into consideration the results of the research and after holding consultations with Russian and Korean scientists and diplomats RIAC experts came to the conclusion that Russia being a Euro-Pacific state can and should take part in looking for a solution to the "Korean problem". Strengthening cooperation with South Korea will not only create conditions for a more successful integration into the Asia-Pacific region, but will also help develop Eastern Siberia and Far East regions of Russia.
Igor Ivanov stressed that the alliance between the USA and South Korea does not constrain the cooperation development between Russia and the Republic of Korea. The Cold War mentality is no longer relevant in the 21 century – relations between the two countries are developing pragmatically in those areas where there are intrinsic preconditions and political will for cooperation.
A special attention was attached to the economic and business cooperation. Gleb Ivashentsov underlined the fact that South Korean investments mainly go to the European part of Russia whereas there are almost no Korean assets in the Far East. According to Alexander Panov’s estimates, agriculture could be one of the promising spheres of collaboration since South Korea is keenly interested in high-tech cooperation in this field. Andrey Kortunov added that South Korea's experience in creating an efficient economic model could be useful in social and economic modernization of Russia and increasing its competitiveness in the global market.
Video of the Press Conference (in russian)
Press-conference "Prospects for Russia-South Korea Relations"
