Russia looks to the Pacific in 2012

March 6th, 2012
Author: Artyom Lukin, Far Eastern Federal University
EastAsiaForum.org

Russia’s foreign ambitions have been directed almost entirely westward throughout its long history.

And while relations with the West continue to dominate Moscow’s foreign policy, recent developments suggest that Russian policy makers are now reassessing the importance of the Asia Pacific region. In the last decade, Russia has actively engaged with its neighbours through multilateral cooperation and efforts at economic integration. This year, Moscow’s new Pacific strategy will be highlighted as Russia hosts the 2012 APEC Summit in its principal Pacific city, Vladivostok.

Russia has been a major player in the Asia Pacific since the late 19th century, but its engagement with the region has focused mostly on political and military — rather than economic — affairs. And despite having a Pacific coastline of more than 25,000 kilometres, Russia is a relative late-comer to Asia Pacific regionalism.

Cambodia-flagged ship rescued, arrives in Russia's Far East port [-Another ship flying Cambodia's flag of "shameful" convenience]

VLADIVOSTOK, January 3,2010
RIA Novosti (Russia)

Cargo ship with 24 Russians on board stranded in Sea of Japan

The Cambodia-flagged cargo ship with 24 Russians on board, which had been stranded in the Sea of Japan, arrived in Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok on Sunday, a local sea rescue center official said.

The MV Victor freighter carrying a shipment of Japanese-made cars transmitted a distress signal shortly after leaving the Japanese port of Otaru for Vladivostok on Thursday.

On Friday, two Russian tugboats arrived at Victor's location about 40 nautical miles from the Russian coast to tow the ship in distress to the nearest port.

A Russian coast guard patrol vessel earlier arrived in the area to monitor the ship's condition and to ensure the safety of 19 crew members and five passengers.

A rescue operation was successfully carried out despite high waves and a severe snow storm, which swept over the Sea of Japan.

"On Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. local time (23:30 GMT, Saturday), the Victor arrived in the port of Vladivostok," the spokesman said.

Another ship bearing Cambodian flag of convenience detained for poaching in Russia

Sakhalin Customs Officials Detained a Poaching Vessel
17 tons of crab were found aboard

VLADIVOSTOK, September 22 (vladivostoktimes.com) - Sakhalin customs officials brought a criminal action against a captain of "Altail" motor ship according to part 1 of the article 188 of RF Criminal Code (contraband).

In the beginning of September a customs boat "Pavel Vereschagin" spotted a suspect vessel in Sakhalin water area. Inspection group went on board of the motor ship and detained it. Operational group found over 17 tons of live tanner crab of the following kinds: opilio, crinite, king and blue crab. Besides, more than two tons of chilled herring and pollock were in the hold for bait.

As it was found out later, "Altail" under Cambodia's flag (the crew was Russian) was in the mode of closed border, therefore its presence in RF water area was illegal. No permissive documents were shown.

As Sakhalin custom-house press secretary Yuriy GURSHAL reported to RIA PrimaMedia, the foreign vessel is delivered to Korsakov port for further investigation.