Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday begins his visit to Thailand to participate in annual events of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) that will take place on Phuket Island on July 22-24.

He will take part in the Russia-ASEAN ministerial meeting and the 16th session of the ASEAN Regional Forum. After this the Russian diplomat will visit Bangkok to hold several bilateral meetings with the Thai authorities.

Lavrov will be received in official audience by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej and meet with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya.

He will also have bilateral meetings with the U.S. Secretary of State and foreign ministers of China, Australia and New Zealand.

“Priorities of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN are energy, science, technologies, emergency response, tourism as well as joint counteraction to new challenges and threats,” a source at the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “At present, the parties are studying cooperation in these areas, including that with participation of Gazprom, Rosatom and Inter RAO UES. A new package of project proposals in such areas as renewable energy, civil nuclear power, science and technologies, small and medium businesses is being prepared,” the source said.