The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia joined those of other ASEAN countries in a cultural activity in Moscow on August 6, which was expected to strengthen mutual understanding and boost cooperation between the bloc and the European country.

The ASEAN Culture and Gastronomy Day was also part of activities to mark the 42^nd founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967-2009).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Khamid Avaludin, Rotating President of the ASEAN Council in Russia, highlighted the bloc’s joint efforts to develop Southeast Asia into a region of peace, stability, friendship, cooperation and prosperity.

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Borodavkin highly valued the Russia-ASEAN partnership and the development of ASEAN into a powerful international organisation in politics, economics and culture, which meets the interests of all member countries.