Lavrov announced an increase in APEC countries' transport via the Northern Sea Route

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) states are increasing cargo volumes along the Northern Sea Route amid the closure of alternative transit lines. This was stated on Tuesday, November 3, by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as reported by Interfax.ru.

The head of the foreign ministry spoke during a joint meeting of foreign ministers and trade ministers of the APEC forum within the framework of a session dedicated to the creation of the Asia-Pacific community. He emphasized the strategic importance of Russian logistics capabilities for global trade.

"Transport arteries through the territory of Russia are becoming the shortest, safest and most profitable corridor from Asia to Europe against the backdrop of the closure of other routes. APEC economies are increasing cargo volumes along the Northern Sea Route," Lavrov said.

Assessment of regional cooperation challenges

The Russian minister also noted that Moscow supports the current APEC guidelines and approves the accents set by the Chinese chairmanship. In his assessment, the focus on the principles of openness, innovation and interconnectedness allows the association to collectively develop effective measures against the main threats to trade and economic partnership.

Lavrov included the escalation of protectionism, the politicization of investments and the high-tech sector, the destabilization of traditional supply chains, as well as risks to energy and food security in the list of main challenges to regional interaction. According to the minister, the basis of such destructive processes is the unwillingness of some economies to recognize the objective shift in the balance of power on the international stage.