In connection with the upcoming change of the Malaysian leadership, Mr Putin expressed his hope for the continuation of bilateral relations, which were making good progress.
Mr Badawi reassured him that his government would wholly continue the course started by Mr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mr Putin asked Mr Badawi, who would become the chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in October 2003, to promote the idea of Russia joining the OIC—presumably, as an observer at first. Mr Putin added that the Russian Muslim community was 20 million people and exceeded that of Malaysia, a member of the largest international Muslim organisation.
See also
Official Visit to Malaysia
August 5, 2003