President Duterte returned to the country from his visit to Russia where he sought closer bilateral economic and defense cooperation and secured more than P620 million worth of business deals.
The President, who arrived in Davao City yesterday afternoon, said his visit to Russia has “greater momentum for the Philippines-Russia relations.”
“We reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong commitment to a robust and comprehensive partnership with the Russian Federation on the basis of mutual respect, trust, and pragmatism. And working with Russia, we have achieved much,” he said.
According to the President, the two countries have agreed to broaden and deepen ties in all areas of cooperation from security and defense to trade and investment, agriculture, energy, science and technology, and socio-cultural exchanges.
The agreement was reached during Duterte’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin earlier told Duterte that he considers the Philippines as “a very important partner of Russia in Asia,” citing the constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
While in Moscow, Duterte witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements on the peaceful uses of energy, scientific research, health, culture, and foreign policy consultations.
“These areas are important and therefore part of our comprehensive roadmap to build a partnership with a friend and to secure the Philippines’ strategic interests,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
