KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will stick to the centrality principle and a balanced approach in trade agreements with the United States.
In following the principle, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia also prioritises other major powers, including Russia and China.
“The trade agreements we sign, we give some priority to Russia and China.
“We follow the principle of centrality, and (what is) very important is trade and investments,” he told reporters ahead of a bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk here today.
Among the issues to be discussed, said Anwar, are initiatives to enhance collaboration across all fields, including research, education, science, trade and investment.
He added that Malaysia enjoys good relations with Russia and will continue to maintain them, following his meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Overchuk said earlier that Russia is focusing on strengthening connectivity and trade relations with Asean as the global economic centre continues to shift towards the region.
He said Moscow believes that trade and economic relations between the two sides can be mutually beneficial.
Overchuk arrived yesterday to attend the 20th East Asia Summit, held in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
Malaysia, as Asean chair, is hosting more than 30 world leaders, including those from Asean member states as well as the US, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, to strengthen engagement and cooperation while addressing regional and global challenges of mutual concern.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
