By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - The first ever visit of a Malaysian monarch to Russia on Tuesday saw King Sultan Ibrahim arriving in Moscow for a state visit, according to media reports.
The Malaysian monarch landed at the Vnukovo Airport, where he was greeted by Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, who is also the co-chairman of the Russian-Malaysian intergovernmental commission, the press service of the Russian government said in a statement.
A military orchestra played national anthems of both countries, and an honor guard marched before the monarch, who arrived with a large delegation.
Kig Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, where he will hold meetings with the leader of the Tatarstan region, Rustam Minnikhanov, and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant.
The king will be in Russia from Aug. 5 - 10 on the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, whom he is expected to meet, and participate in official events.
Additionally, he plans to visit the Central Automobile and Automotive Engine Research Institute (NAMI) and the technological innovation center Boiling Point.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the visit as historic, as the first head of Malaysia to have a state visit in Russia since diplomatic relations were established in 1967.