KUALA LUMPUR, September 6- A more comprehensive network among media organisations in the Southeast Asian region can be created to increase collaboration between media organisations in ASEAN countries.

The Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative could be a platform for interaction and sharing of reports between media practitioners from the region.

He said it would at once strengthen Malaysia's relationship with its regional partners, especially ahead of the ASEAN chairmanship next year.

"Malaysia can play a role as a host to gather media organisations from the Southeast Asian region, and collaborate more closely. I also hope that next year we will have a more cohesive network among media organisations from the Southeast Asian region.

"I believe platforms of media organisation like RTM are planning to create a new network with respect to ASEAN 2025," he told reporters after attending Asia News Network’s (ANN) 25th anniversary celebration here, today.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the celebration of ANN's 25th anniversary is hoped to give space to members of the media organisation to publish more news of developments throughout Asia, so that readers can enjoy news written by the media in the region themselves and not by foreign media.

"This is important because in order for us to understand our neighbours in Asia, it is reasonable for media organisations to connect with each other and send news to each other to be displayed in their respective newspapers or media websites.

"That way, I believe we will be able to hear the original and true voice of the Asian country itself," he said.

In another development involving Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to attend the BRICS Summit next month, he said it was a positive development.

He said that even though Malaysia is a country that does not take sides with any country, it also has the right to establish relations not only diplomatically, but also economically.

"It is a healthy and positive development and we hope to be able to produce returns. Regarding the BRICS itself, that is a good enough opportunity.. if we can see the economic ability to increase bilateral or multilateral trade relations, it is a net positive for Malaysia," he said.

Yesterday, during his speech at the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) plenary session in Vladivostok, Russia, Datuk Seri Anwar expressed his gratitude to Putin for inviting him to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

BRICS is a cooperative bloc of emerging economies established in 2009, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China and followed by South Africa's participation in 2010.