Russia-M'sia Finalising Details For Joint Commission

By Santhia Panjanadan and Zarul Efendi Razali KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Russia and Malaysia are finalising details for the establishment of a joint commission on cooperation in trade, economics, science and technology, cultural and humanitarian fields. "We hope to sign an agreement to establish the joint commission by year-end. "Usually, after the establishment of the commission, we will form the business council," Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia, Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobyeva (picture) told Bernama on Wednesday. She said Russia did form a business council in Malaysia previously, but it was inactive and did not live up to expectations. "For Russia, it is very useful to have an inter-government commission to attract not only government officials but also the business community in developing bilateral relations," she added. Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos and Cambodia are among those countries with whom Russia has joint commissions. "We have been working on this agreement for ten years and hope to conclude it by this year, having also received encouraging signals from Wisma Putra (Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). "As it is an inter-government agreement, a lot needs to be coordinated with other agencies here. "We are in the final stage and probably can sign the agreement when Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak visits Vladivostok this year and revive the business council," Vorobyeva added. The Asia Pacific Summit (APEC) will be held in the Russian city of Vladivostok in September. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA