Thank you, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and on behalf of my delegation, I would express my profound appreciation and thanks to the wonderful hospitality of this great country with a great history, civilization, culture and the arts and history of enduring struggle of the people who believe in dignity and independence.

 

I’ve said this to President Putin that my admiration extends beyond diplomatic engagement, but because of my understanding of the history and culture and the great contribution in the field of literature and the arts and the belly, which I happen to miss because of the hectic schedule.

 

We have had extensive discussions from the morning and then later move for the prime minister and finally, of course, with the President and his team and covering wide spectrum of issues from education to agriculture and food security to agri-commodity, science technology, cybersecurity, energy, defense among others.

 

That shows our commitment to enhance bilateral relations beyond what we’ve achieved thus far. It is true the president has stated in such clarity. The relations has been good, but the potential for investments, trade in collaboration need to be further enhanced and that’s precisely the reason why I choose to come first to Vladivostok as his guest and now to Moscow and Kazan and the joint commissions, various committees, including oil and gas, petrochemicals has to then ensure that affect these changes and take the necessary action speedily.

 

Of course, we would appreciate this increasing support in terms of training, aerospace, STI and TVET, digital, AI, which the President and the team has been extremely kind to regard us as a trusted friend and country that they can place a lot of support and I think at this stage of development, however vigorous in semi-conductor, AI field, we would certainly want to collaborate with the Russian Federation to enhance this.

 

There were some outstanding issues due to geopolitical dictates, but we have taken the position of centrality in Malaysia and ASEAN to decide for ourselves what is best for Malaysia and it’s people. And therefore, we would like to request and suggest that the Russian airlines, including Aeroflot to resume direct flight route to Malaysia as soon as possible.

 

And thank you again, Mr. President, for your support for our entry into BRICS and I remember, I recall from friends from China to Ethiopia, South Africa saying that you made that initial proposal and we Malaysians admire and of course appreciate very much.

 

We did discuss a number of international issues. We are firm on these multilateral arrangements based on rule based multilateral arrangements and therefore we have to proceed based on that principle. We do not accept unilateral action of countries, because it would disrupt the arrangements and the peace and security of our region and the world.

 

So, I again, Mr. President Putin, want to assure you that Malaysia place a lot of not only expectations, but hope that this sort of a special relationship with the Russian Federation would be affected through meaningful exchanges and programs.

 

I on behalf of the government, the people, of course, would wish and would think it is a major greater, I should say the prize for the people of Malaysia if you can have President Putin in Malaysia as soon as possible or the latest ASEAN Summit during ASEAN in October, but I can show you that your presence in Malaysia will be major breakthrough, you know any relationship with Malaysia but the region because I believe many people in the region have very high respects and expectations of your role in your leadership.