MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Tuesday press conference in the Kremlin following his talks with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah that he had proposed a number of promising investment projects in Siberia and the Far East to Brunei. Putin stated that it was important to complement regular bilateral political contacts with a solid economic and contractual basis. According to the head of state, Russian companies could assist the construction of metallurgical enterprises, energy facilities, including ones that would use renewable and alternative power sources.

"We also have good prospects for cooperation in the military technical and investment sectors, including investment in third countries," President Putin said.

Russia intends to make concrete proposals for extending contacts in science, education, medicine and developing tourism.

Putin thanked the Sultan of Brunei for supporting Russia's policy towards closer relations with ASEAN.

"We hope that the first Russian-ASEAN summit due to take place in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005 will enrich the dialogue with the forum, whose work has a positive impact on the development of cooperation with integration associations in the Asia-Pacific region," Putin stressed.

Putin said that Russia and Brunei planned to sign an agreement on easing visa regulations for owners of diplomatic and service passports.

According to Putin, Moscow considers the Sultan's visit to Russia as "a beginning of a new, promising stage in bilateral relations".

In his turn, the Sultan of Brunei voiced his gratitude for President Putin's "contribution to the development of the region and the enhancement of security in Asia as a whole".

"One of the aims of my visit is to confirm that Russia really plays a very significant role in Asian regional processes. This concerns the whole spectrum of international interaction," the Sultan said.

He stressed that Brunei was interested in collaboration with Russia to diversify its economy.

"We considered a possibility for the Russian government to participate in settling our topical problems, first of all the diversification of our economy, which is skewed towards the oil and natural gas industries," the Sultan elaborated.

"We touched upon the issue of trade development and investment into the tourist industry. And we are seeking closer cooperation with Russia," the Sultan of Brunei said.