Russia and Yemen agreed to boost cooperation on combating terrorism and piracy in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in 2010, Yemeni state-run Saba news agency reported Thursday.

Russian ambassador in Sanaa Vladimir Trofimov said in an interview with Yemeni daily Alseyasiah published Thursday that representative of Russian president for issues of international cooperation for combating terrorism will embark on a visit to Yemen at the onset of 2010 to hold talks with top security officials on bolstering cooperation.

According to the report, the talks will take up means to enhance cooperation between the intelligence agencies of both countries in this regard.

Trovimov said his country stands in support of Yemen's security and stability due to the important strategic role it has in the region. "Russia cooperates with Yemeni government and people and at the same time it sees that what happens in Yemen is an internal affair."

Yemen's southern provinces of Shabwa, al-Baidha and Aden in southern Yemen have been recently witnessing an increasing presence and growing strength for al-Qaida militants.

Two weeks ago, Sanaa started a crackdown against al-Qaida militants in southern governorates in which it killed around 45 pro-Qaida members.