Putin, Badawi call for preserving Iraq's territorial integrity

Moscow, June 19 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today called for preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

The leaders of the two states underscored the need to step up the international community's efforts to normalise the situation in Iraq as soon as possible and to preserve Iraq's unity and territorial integrity.

In a joint statement after their talks here, they said they were convinced that this goal could be achieved ''only if a comprehensive political solution is found that restores national peace and accord and heeds the interests of all of the country's key ethnic and religious groups and influential political forces,''.

''Our relations have been developing quite successfully. This year, we mark the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. A Malaysian astronaut is to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2007,'' Mr Putin said after his talks with Mr Badawi in the Kremlin.

He added that this confirmed that bilateral relations ''in high technology sectors have been progressing as well,'' while pointing out that,'' of course, there are issues that require your and our special attention. That is why we are very pleased that you are here.'' Malaysia is a major arms buyer from Russia and may turn into one of Rosoboronexport's biggest markets in Southeast Asia, the leading Russian business daily Kommersant said today.

It said Mr Putin and Mr Badawi had much to talk about, particularly on military hardware.

Moscow and Kuala Lumpur concluded a contract for 18 SU-30 MKM planes in 2003 with special modifications for the Malaysian Air Force and the first two of them were sent from Irkutsk to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Another ten planes will be delivered this year and the last six by October of next year.

Rosoboronexport is participating in a number of other tenders held by the Malaysian military.

Russia and Malaysia also have close energy ties and are members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

'' In addition, Mr Badawi is the chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, through which Russia hopes to make friends with the Islamic world,'' the paper noted.

UNI