KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today joins the Russia-Asean Security and Cooperation Round Table Conference. It was hosted virtually by Russian United Party Party Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow.

Five other Asean party leaders also took part in the 90-minute conference.

 

In his speech, the Umno president touches various issues, including the need for Russia and Asean to elevate cooperation in ensuring peace and stability in Asean and Asia-Pacific, any military confrontation will jeorpardise efforts to achieve mutual development.

He also suggested for Asean and Russia give more attention toward keeping tight surveilance at their respective boundary to halt any cross border illegal activity and human trafficking.

“Since Russia became Asean’s full-pledge partner in 1996, many achievements have benefitted us, and it is time we explore any cooperation for mutual interest. All must be based on no confrontation and no prejudice footing.

“We need to enhance more government-to-government and people-to-people engagements as it will bring us closer.

“The last time we met was in Singapore in 2018.”

Zahid said the Covid-19 pandemic plaguing the world is a ‘blessing in disguise’ for bringing almost all nations to cooperate in finding its vaccine and remedy for global use.

To encourage the people’s economy, he said Russia and Asean should step up their entrepreneurship mechanism to spur mutual growth in the region.

The conference also saw participation by Thonloun Sisoulith dari Laos, Hun Sen (Cambodia, Vo Van Thruong (Vietnam), Airlangga Hartarto (Indonesia) and Senator Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines.

Zahid who is also Barisan Nasional chairman joins the meeting in his capacity as a party leader and not on behalf of the government.