Russia and ASEAN: promising areas of cooperation

Since 2000 the Foreign Policy Concept of The Russian Federation, the outlook and positioning of the state on the global stage have been embraced. Russia forwent its Western orientation as the only option for the society's safety and returned to the understanding of inevitability of the dual nature of Russia's foreign policy, which cannot afford to neglect or even pay less attention to its Eastern partners and neighbors. The first step to reinforce its presence in Asia Pacific region was the intensification of connections with Northeast Asian states with the focus on China-Russia relations. The next stage was to move further into Asian region and to establish ties with the old and new partners within ASEAN. The article is aimed to give a glance on how Russia can use this changing environment to strengthen its position in Southeast Asia. Enhancing such spheres as finances and small and medium enterprises can help Russia to gain not only some economic profits, but also political benefits.