Moscow (VNA) - The Ambassadors to Ukraine of Vietnam, Malaysia, andIndonesia held a working session on July 9 with the host country’s ForeignMinister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss measures to boost cooperation between ASEANand its member states with the Eastern European country.

Both host andguests agreed that ASEAN-Ukraine relations have yet to meet bilateralpotential, with trade, investment, and tourism exchanges remaining limited.

Minister Kulebareaffirmed his country’s stance of giving priority to the Asia-Pacific region,including ASEAN, in its foreign policy, so as to foster multi-facetedcollaboration, especially in the economic field.

The ambassadorssuggested stepping up exchanges of all-level delegations, establishing an ASEANCommittee in Ukraine, negotiating over the signing of a visa exemptionagreement, opening a direct air route connecting Kiev with the capital of anASEAN member state, and promoting cooperation in culture, education, andsports.

Kuleba agreed withthe initiative to set up the ASEAN Committee in Ukraine and proposed setting upan ASEAN Centre at a major university in Kiev to disseminate information aboutASEAN.

He will prioritiseVietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia in his ASEAN tour at the end of the year.

VietnameseAmbassador Nguyen Anh Tuan suggested the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry help speedup the organisation of a political consultation between the two countries, the15th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic-Trade andScientific-Technological Cooperation, and the 17th meeting of theInter-Governmental Committee on Military Technical Cooperation.

On July 8, AmbassadorTuan also worked with Malaysian Ambassador Raja Reza Raja Zaib Shah andIndonesian Ambassador H.Yuddy Chrisnandi to discuss a plan to organise “ASEANDay” in Kiev on August 8 at the Malaysian Embassy.

On July 3, theVietnamese Embassy also held an online discussion on Vietnam’s economicpolicies and the post-pandemic prospects for Vietnam-Ukraine economicrelations./.