Russia Pushes 2035 APEC Bid Despite Western Criticism
Russia continues to seek support for its 2035 APEC chairmanship bid as Australia, New Zealand and Canada sharply criticize Moscow behind closed doors.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada have been sharply criticizing Russia behind closed doors, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev said in an interview with TASS. According to the diplomat, the three countries continue to vent hostility toward Moscow while remaining trapped in what he described as ideological darkness.
Their position, however, has not prevented Russia from promoting its bid to chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2035.
Berdyev noted that APEC Secretariat Executive Director Pedrosa visited Russia for the first time this year. During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he joined representatives from China and Vietnam at a special session focused on Russia’s future role in APEC.
The diplomat said Russian proposals once again received a positive response. Moscow plans to continue seeking approval for its chairmanship bid.
Berdyev previously announced that President Vladimir Putin would lead the Russian delegation at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for November 18–19.
He also described the current year as particularly busy for the forum. China, which holds the APEC chairmanship, has adopted a slogan centered on building a prosperous community in the Asia-Pacific region. Beijing has identified cooperation, openness and innovation as its main priorities.
Russia’s bid to chair APEC in 2035 was previously approved by Putin.