President Duterte is set to discuss world order and the Philippines’ independent foreign policy during two of his speaking engagements in Russia next week.
Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Amelita Aquino disclosed this ahead of Duterte’s five-day official visit to Russia next week.
In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang yesterday, Aquino said that Duterte was invited to speak at the forum of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi where he is set to discuss any subject related to the theme “The World Order Seen From the East.”
Aquino said Duterte’s participation in the forum on Oct. 3 is historic since it is the first time that a Philippine president was invited to speak there.
Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Borje also said that it is also the first time that the Valdai Forum invited more than one world leader to the event.
“The leaders were asked to, they can talk of any subject related to the theme,” Aquino said. “This will be the take-off point for the President’s speech. He is expected to give his perspective or vision of the world order as it is emerging right now and how this relates to Philippine foreign policy,” Borje added.
According to Borje, it can be surmised that Duterte will include in his speech an explanation of his independent foreign policy. “Since he will be talking to specific groups, particularly intellectuals, academicians, journalists, from Russia, then he’s expected to also provide an overview of how important Philippines-Russia relations are at this point,” he said.
The Valdai International Discussion Club is one of Russia’s prominent and respected think-tanks and discussion groups. It organizes annually the Valdai Forum where top Russian and international officials as well as policymakers, academics, and journalists are invited. (Argyll Geducos)
