The proposed visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Philippines is expected to further enhance the relations between the two allies, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed reports that Putin has accepted President Duterte’s invitation to come to the Philippines amid improving ties between the two countries.
“Alam mo, kapag bumibisita ‘yung sinuman ang head of state sa bansa sa atin ay nangangahulugan ‘yung pagbisita ay magbibigay ng bagong relasyon between the two countries. Kung mahina, palalakasin. Kung malakas na, mas lalong palalakasin,” Panelo said.
He said the visit of the head of state would also facilitate an improvement in areas of cooperation such as security, trade, sharing of intelligence information, tourism, and exchange of scholars. “Parating ganyan ang agenda,” he said.
Panelo noted that the date of Putin’s visit to the country is yet to be finalized. “Sabi ni Ambassador Igor inaayos ang pagbisita…He said they will talk about it, they will arrange it,” he added.
He admitted that the President repeated his invitation to Putin during his recent visit to Russia.
Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev had earlier confirmed that Duterte’s invitation has been accepted by Putin “with gratitude.” He said they would do their best to arrange the visit of Putin as soon as possible.
Duterte made two official trips to Russia since he assumed the presidency in 2016. He first visited Moscow in May 2017 but had to cut it short to deal with the deadly terror siege in Marawi City.
He made his second visit to Russia early this month where he sought closer bilateral economic and defense cooperation and secured more than P620-million worth of business deals. (Genalyn Kabiling)
