The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba opened at the Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv the first Centre for ASEAN Countries Studies in Ukraine.

The opening took place on Tuesday, October 19, with the participation of university leaders and ambassadors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Last year, I discussed with the ambassadors of ASEAN countries in Ukraine what we can do to develop cooperation. I proposed to establish a Centre for ASEAN Countries Studies in Ukraine. Today we have implemented this initiative. The centre lays the foundation for a qualitatively new level of cooperation between Ukraine and ASEAN," the Minister noted.

The main task of the Centre will be to establish effective interaction between researchers and scientists, the development of humanitarian and interpersonal contacts between Ukraine and ASEAN countries.

During the event, Dmytro Kuleba addressed the students of the Institute of International Relations and spoke about key aspects of Ukraine's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region and the priorities of cooperation with ASEAN.

The Minister reminded that this year, for the first time since independence, Ukraine received the Foreign Policy Strategy: "In it, we paid due attention to relations with Asian countries, because work with this region must be systematic."

Dmytro Kuleba stressed that the next marker of the development of relations will be Ukraine's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. “Our state has already submitted a relevant application, which is being considered by ASEAN partners. This will not only be an impetus for further development, but also a clear signal of a new quality of relations between Ukraine and ASEAN countries."

"I am convinced that it is quite possible to achieve a trade turnover between Ukraine and ASEAN of 5 billion US dollars a year, and we are working to achieve this goal. We are working to ensure that as many Ukrainian goods as possible, especially those with high added value, are exported to Asian markets,” Dmytro Kuleba said.

For reference: during the 54 years of existence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, this union has become one of the most influential centres of world politics and economics. Its total GDP is now $ 3.2 trillion.

Economic growth is projected to be 4.1% this year and 5.3% next year. In terms of trade in goods and services, the association ranks 4th in the world after the EU, China and the United States.

In August this year, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine received observer status in the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly. The decision was taken by consensus of ASEAN member states.

This Center is to become a windmill, which will give new impetus to Ukraine-ASEAN relations.