VLADIVOSTOK: Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his country to find new points of contact with Asean during Malaysia's chairmanship of the grouping next year.
"As you know, we've focused on developing our relations with Asean, and it's well-known that Malaysia is playing a leading role in the association.
"Next year, Malaysia will preside at the organisation, and I expect that during your presidency we will find new points of contact with this growing region of the world," he said during a bilateral meeting with Anwar last night on the sidelines of the 9th Eastern Economic Forum here.
Putin also highlighted that trade between Russia and Malaysia was approaching US$3.5 billion, and there were ample opportunities to expand it.