PETALING JAYA (Aug 2): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will meet his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok in a few weeks to discuss economic cooperation, and to foster Malaysia-Russia bilateral relations.

"A few weeks from now, I will go to Vladivostok in Russia to accept President Putin's invitation to discuss economic cooperation, positioning us as a country that defends our independent position with no feelings of hostility with anyone," Anwar said.

He said this at the launch of GX Bank Bhd's headquarters and its centre of excellence here on Friday. 

On July 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a courtesy call on Anwar at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, and among other things discussed Malaysia's wish to join the intergovernmental organisation BRICS (consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and also Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates), with Russia charing BRICS.

In the nearly hour-long meeting, Anwar and Lavrov also discussed efforts to strengthen Malaysia-Russia relations, and expand cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, security, defence, higher education, science and technology, tourism and culture.

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