Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold comprehensive talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a key guest at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), on September 4 in Vladivostok. This was confirmed by Yury Ushakov, an aide to the Russian President.
"On September 4, there will be full-scale negotiations with the Malaysian Prime Minister, including both a meeting in a narrow format and broader discussions involving both delegations. The talks will cover various aspects of Russian-Malaysian cooperation, including economic, international, and regional issues," Ushakov stated.
He highlighted that Russia and Malaysia share similar positions on most international matters and engage in constructive cooperation within multilateral organizations, particularly the United Nations.
Ushakov also pointed out that Russia and Malaysia maintain robust trade and economic relations, with bilateral trade reaching $3.5 billion in 2023. Over the past decade, more than 7,000 Malaysians have pursued their education at Russian universities, most of them in medical specialties on a commercial basis. Currently, about 700 Malaysian students are studying in Russia, and diplomas from five medical and eleven technical programs across seven Russian universities are recognized in Malaysia.
Additionally, Ushakov noted that Malaysia remains a popular destination for Russian tourists, with 110,000 Russians visiting the country in 2023.
This visit marks Anwar Ibrahim's first trip to Russia as head of government. Ushakov emphasized that, in 2025, Malaysia will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with which Russia prioritizes cooperation in its Asian diplomatic strategy.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS