HANOI. November 1 (Interfax) - Russia and the U.S. will become full-scale members of the East-Asia Summits starting next year, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"A Russia-ASEAN summit was preceded by the so-called East Asia summit this morning, and it was decided in conclusion of this summit that Russia and the U.S. should be invited to participate in this mechanism on a regular basis," Lavrov said in commenting on the Russia-ASEAN summit outcomes on Saturday.
"Starting next year, the presidents of Russia and the United States will be full-fledged members of the East Asia Summit mechanism, which is quite influential," Lavrov said.
The participants in the East Asia Summit are the leading countries in the region, and issues discussed at these summits concern the most relevant international agenda, he said.
Russia has its own experience, which it could share with its international partners for mutual benefit, he said.