KAZAN (Russia), June 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kazan today for a two-day working visit to the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan to attend the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit from June 17-18.

The aircraft carrying Anwar landed at Kazan International Airport at 10.20pm local time (3.20am Wednesday Malaysian time). 

He was accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.

Upon arrival, the prime minister was received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai, while the Russian delegation was led by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Minister of Digital Development of Tatarstan, Ilya Nachvin, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin and officials from the State Protocol Department. Anwar was also served with chak-chak sweets and karavay bread, symbols of a long-standing cultural tradition used to honour guests.

According to a Wisma Putra statement earlier today, the summit will mark the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations, which were established in Kuala Lumpur in 1991.

It added that the meeting will provide an opportunity for Asean and Russia to review progress achieved over the past 35 years and chart the future direction of cooperation under the Asean-Russia Strategic Partnership.

“Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening practical cooperation in trade and investment, energy, food security, digital economy, science and technology, culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” according to Wisma Putra.