Moscow (VNA) - Representatives from the Ukrainian ForeignMinistry, the embassies of Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia in Ukraine, and theTaras Shevchenko National University of Kiev sat down recently to discuss theestablishment of an ASEAN centre within the university.

University rector Leonid Huberskyi underscored the importance of theproject in his remarks, and pledged his support and the venue, equipment, andresources needed for the centre to become operational shortly.

It will introduce ASEAN’s political situation, socio-economy, andculture, and connect Ukraine and the bloc’s member states, he added.

Yevhen Pikalov, Director General of the DirectorateGeneral for the Asia-Pacific Region at the ministry, committed to working with relevantparties to draft a memorandum of understanding on the university and ASEANnations carrying out specific steps for the centre’s establishment.

Ukraine isaware of ASEAN’s regional and global importance, he affirmed, noting that the openingof the centre aims to boost relations between the two sides via cultural,knowledge, and information exchanges.

Participating ASEAN membernations said the centre would open up a new chapter in ASEAN - Ukraine ties viaenhancing mutual cooperation and understanding.

They said the centre will bea venue for workshops, conferences, and research, creating opportunities foreducational and cultural exchange.

The embassies and the universityagreed to appoint representatives for further detailed discussions on theestablishment, including on infrastructure, equipment, and socio-political andeducational publications.

Both sides noted that specificsteps must be implemented so the centre can be open this year, during Vietnam’sASEAN chairmanship.

Founded in 1834, the TarasShevchenko National University of Kiev is the leading contemporaryacademic and educational institution in Ukraine. Its Institute of Philologyoffers programmes in over 30 languages worldwide, including Vietnamese and BahasaIndonesian./.