Philippines, Russia vow to shift focus of bilateral relations to be more extensive

At the virtual 12th Political Consultations, both the Philippines and Russia vowed to shift the focus of their bilateral relations from being defense-centric to a more extensive list including trade and investments, culture, outer space, nuclear technology and energy, labor, and people-to-people ties.

The event was co-chaired by Acting Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor V. Morgulov on April 23.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory and agreed to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their bilateral relations with meaningful activities throughout the year.

Morgulov also confirmed the arrival of an initial shipment of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines in the Philippines on April 28 during the event, confirming President Duterte and President Vladimir Putin’s pledge to cooperate in the fight against Covid-19 via phone on April 13.

Other regional and international matters discussed at the event include cooperation with the United Nations, ASEAN, developments in the South China Sea, and the geopolitical situation in the Asia Pacific region.

SOURCE: PNA