RUSSIA GRANTED ASEAN PARTNER RANKING.

Russia joined the United States, Japan, the European Union, and five other nations as a full dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Philippine’s president announced yesterday. China was elevated along with Russia to dialogue partner rank. The two nations will now be allowed to attend ASEAN post-ministerial conferences after annual foreign ministers meetings. (Reuter, May 15)

No Norway Trip for Grachev.