Malaysia receives invitation from Russia to join BRICS Summit, said Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has received an invitation from Russia to participate in the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to Bernama, he stated that the invitation, delivered personally by President Vladimir Putin during a working dinner, is clear evidence of Malaysia’s importance to Russia.

“This marks a significant step towards our ultimate goal of joining the group,” he said in a social media post on Wednesday regarding his two-day visit to Russia to attend the ninth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

BRICS is a multilateral organization consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a speech at the EEF plenary session today.

Anwar mentioned that during the discussions, both he and Putin expressed their commitment to strengthening relations between Malaysia and Russia.

“As Malaysia continues to expand its geopolitical and strategic relationships, Russia will be a key partner in sharing our vision for growth, prosperity, and development,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the potential for Malaysia and Russia to leverage each other’s expertise for the benefit of their peoples is immense, ranging from Islamic finance to agriculture and education.

“As we build the commitments and shared vision discussed during this visit, I am optimistic that the foundation laid today will lead to meaningful cooperation between Russia and Malaysia in the future,” he added.