M`SIAN PM NAJIB, RUDD TO DISCUSS MUTUAL INTEREST ISSUES

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
and his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, will discuss and exchange views on
bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest during the
latter's working visit to Malaysia on Monday.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement said Saturday that Rudd would be
accompanied by senior government officials from the Prime Minister's Office and
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"The working visit by Kevin Rudd to Malaysia is a manifestation of the close
working relations between the two leaders who are both intent to move the
bilateral relations to greater heights," it said.

In a separate statement, Wisma Putra said that Australia's Minister for
Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith was scheduled to have an inaugural foreign
ministers meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anifah Aman, in
Putrajaya on July 6, during Smith's official visit to Malaysia from July 6-7.

The two foreign ministers will discuss and exchange views on a wide range of
bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

This is Smith's first official visit to Malaysia since taking office on
Dec 3, 2007.

-- BERNAMA