VLADIVOSTOK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived safely here to begin his two-day working visit to Russia in conjunction with the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) which kicked off on Tuesday.
The aircraft carrying Anwar and the Malaysian delegation landed safely at Vladivostok International Airport at about 6.30am Malaysian time.
Anwar's arrival was welcomed by Malaysia's ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai, Russian Foreign Ministry's director of third Asian division Ludmilla Vorobieva, Primorskii region vice governor Aleksei Nazdratenko and vice mayor Daria Stegniy.
Anwar's itinerary during the two days includes a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in addition to giving a keynote speech during the plenary session at the forum on Thursday.
He is expected to reiterate Malaysia's desire to join the BRICS intergovernmental organisation. Russia holds the BRICS chairmanship for 2024.
On July 28 this year, Anwar said Malaysia had sent an application to Russia to join BRICS following the courtesy call made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on that day.
Anwar is also expected to meet with Deputy Mufti Rushan Hazrat Abbyasov, who is the first deputy chairman of Russia Muftis Council and Religious Board of Muslim, and receive a courtesy call from Rais (head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
This is Anwar's first visit to Russia since assuming office in November 2022.
Accompanying the Prime Minister are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Trade, Investment and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and senior officials of the ministries.