SOCHI: Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived here tonight for the two-day Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit, which begins tomorrow (May 19).
Accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister was greeted upon arrival at the Sochi International Airport by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman as well Malaysian ambassador to Russia Datuk Hayati Ismail.
Najib arrived from a working visit to London, where he attended programmes including the Malaysia-UK Investor Showcase and Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) annual meeting.
Tomorrow, Najib is scheduled to kick off his programme at this coastal city with a bilateral meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Malaysian ambassador to Russia Datuk Hayati Ismail said the two leaders were expected to discuss steps to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Apart from economic partnership, the meeting will also touch on other areas of mutual concern between the two countries,” Hayati told Malaysian media earlier.
However, she did not elaborate further.
Hayati said the meeting was both important and meaningful as the two countries are celebrating their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations on April 3, next year.
“It is also to improve trade and intensify Malaysia’s presence in Russia and to cement the strategic partnership between the two countries following the set up of a joint-commission last year,” she said.
On Nov 21 last year, the two countries signed the Malaysia-Russia joint-commission for economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.
Hayati said the meeting would be followed by the summit reception, hosted by Putin.
She said last year, the two countries’ total trade stood at USD1.35 billion, a 51 per cent drop from the total trade recorded in 2014.
“The number of tourists from Russia also dropped by 12 per cent last year to 54,263,” she said, adding the decrease in trade and number of tourists was due to the economic downturn following the drop in crude oil prices and currency depreciation.
Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov, in a statement on Tuesday, had said that among the agenda for the meeting with Najib were closer trade and economic cooperation, implementation of investment projects in energy sector, expansion of military technical cooperation and humanitarian ties.
Hayati said Najib would also hold his first bilateral meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was sworn in into office in April, on Friday.
Najib arrived here from London to lead Malaysia’s delegation to the summit. His delegation includes Anifah and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.
The summit is held to commemorate 20 years of Asean-Russia dialogue relations, serving as a platform for the leaders to chart the future direction of the partnership.
During the summit, the leaders are expected to adopt the Sochi Declaration, titled ‘Moving Towards a Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit’.
The leaders will also take note of the Comprehensive Plan of Action (2016-2020), consisting of specific measures to strengthen relations over the next five years and consider the report on the Asean-Russia Eminent Persons Group (AREPG).
The report contains proposals on the future direction of Asean-Russia relations.
The summit covers three sessions, the plenary session – to deliberate on global and regional issues as well as on Asean-Russia cooperation; the meeting between business representatives to discuss business opportunities between Asean and Russia and the working luncheon – to focus on prospects for greater economic cooperation between Eurasia and Southeast Asia.
The Asean-Russia Business Forum and the Asean-Russia Culture Ministers Meeting will also take place at the sidelines of the summit.