Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Arrives in Malaysia for 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10, 2025 (Voice of Malaysia): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov touched down in Kuala Lumpur this morning to attend a series of high-level meetings in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), hosted by Malaysia under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.

Lavrov is leading the Russian delegation to the regional gathering, which is being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11. The delegation arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base at 8:27 a.m. and was received by Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Special Functions, Datuk Syed Mohamad Bakri Syed Abd Rahman, along with Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl M. Latypov.

During his visit, Lavrov is scheduled to participate in the ASEAN-Russia Post-Ministerial Conference and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), key platforms for dialogue between ASEAN and its external partners. In addition to the multilateral meetings, Lavrov is also expected to hold several bilateral discussions with fellow foreign ministers on the sidelines of the summit.

Russia established official relations with ASEAN in 1991 and became a full Dialogue Partner in 1996. The partnership was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2018, further strengthening political, economic, and security cooperation between the two sides.

Meanwhile, several other high-level dignitaries also arrived in Malaysia early this morning to join the ASEAN-related meetings. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Daniele Giovanni Cassis—whose countries are ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partners—arrived separately at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Fidan landed at 2:30 a.m., while Cassis, accompanied by his wife, Paola Rodoni Cassis, arrived at 12:44 a.m.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, also arrived this morning with his delegation. Their aircraft landed at KLIA’s Bunga Raya Complex at 6:31 a.m.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” have drawn participation from over 1,500 delegates. Over the course of four days, 24 ministerial-level meetings are taking place, reflecting ASEAN’s growing importance as a regional and global diplomatic platform.