Putin says open for US ties based on mutual respect
November 20, 2014, 4:53 am

Putin received letters of credence of new ambassadors from 15 nations including the US at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s Alexander Hall in Moscow on 19 November 2014 [PPIO]

“We take the view that Russia and the United States of America bear special responsibility for maintaining international security and stability and combating global threats and challenges,” Putin said while attending a ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s Alexander Hall.

“We are ready for practical cooperation with our American partners in all different areas, based on the principles of respect for each other’s interests, equality and non-intervention in domestic affairs,” Putin added.

Putin was receiving letters of credence of new ambassadors from 15 nations including the US.

Earlier on Monday this week, EU Ministers in a Brussels meet, failed to agree on increasing Russian sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow is prepared to find compromises with the West “on the basis of equal rights and taking into consideration the interests of each other, as well as avoiding attempts of blackmail and dictatorship.”

Putin on Thursday also noted on Wednesday that Moscow will deepen its engagement with the Asia Pacific region.

“I particularly want to note Russia’s growing economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region countries and say that this is long-term, strategic cooperation. We take the view that this will help to develop parts of Russia, such as Siberia and the Far East,” he said.

Putin’s announcements come in the backdrop of a renewed pledge towards Washington’s “Asia Pivot” by US President Barack Obama at the APEC Summit in Beijing this month.

Obama insisted that Asia’s security order must not be based on “coercion or intimidation … where big nations bully the small, but on alliances for mutual security”, referring to China’s territorial disputes with neighbours and US allies like Japan, Philippines and Vietnam.

“No one should ever question our resolve or our commitments to our allies,” Obama said.

The “Pivot to Asia”, which has become one of the Obama administration’s central foreign policy initiatives was announced during the current president’s first term in office.

US officials have reaffirmed American backing for Japan in its dispute with China over the islands. A security treaty with Japan would allow the US to protect its ally in case of “foreign intervention”.

The rebalancing strategy of the US has been criticised by Beijing as a bid to contain its rising economic and political clout.

China has become the largest trading partner with most Asian countries and its direct investments in the region are surging.

According to the China-ASEAN Business Council, Chinese companies invested $4.42 billion in Southeast Asia last year, up 52 per cent from 2011.

TBP and Agencies