The ASEAN Culture and Gastronomy Day was also part of activities to mark the 42nd 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 achievements in 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 the ASEAN into a powerful international organisation in politics, economics and culture, which serves the benefits of all member countries.

He affirmed that Russia welcomes and supports the ASEAN’s initiative to build a new security mechanism in Southeast Asia.