Russia, USA to Become East Asian Summit Full Members

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (2R) with Philippine President Benigno Aquino (L), Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong (2L), Thailand PM Abhisit Vejjajiva (C) and Vietnam PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the EAS. Photo by EPA

Russia and the USA will become full members of the East Asian Summit as of January 1, 2011, it was decided at the high meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

This information was reported by Russian agency ITAR-TASS. The East Asian leaders have considered that the regular and full participation of Russia and the USA in the Summit will give more leverage to the organization in solving regional and global issues.

The meeting is attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

The East Asian Summit brings together ASEAN members Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, together with partners China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Russia has participated in the East Asian Summit as an observer since its inception in 2005, when it requested to become a full member.

The US Obama administration has also asked for a greater role in the regional forum.

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