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Putin: PHL a ‘very important partner’ of Russia in Asia


Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said his country attaches great importance to its relations with the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Putin met with Duterte for the fourth time since 2016 in the resort city of Sochi in Russia, where the Philippine leader is on a five-day official visit.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976 but Malacañang said it was only under Duterte that the Philippines and Russia witnessed a “dramatic reinvigoration” of bilateral ties.

“I would like to highlight that the Philippines is a very important partner of Russia in Asia. Our bilateral cooperation is constructive and mutually beneficial but our friendly relationships between our two countries,” Putin said during the bilateral meeting.

He credited Duterte for “expanding the multifaceted cooperation between Russia and the Philippines.”

“And in large part due to your personal attention, we have revitalized our political dialogue,” Putin said.

In his opening statement, Duterte said he had always looked forward to returning to Russia.

"I am here today to reaffirm our strong commitment and to build a robust and comprehensive partnership with the Russian Federation. In the past two years, we have seen a dramatic increase in bilateral activities across many areas of cooperation at various levels of government," he said.

“We have also made historic firsts in the key strategic areas from economic, defense, security and military technical cooperation.”

Marawi siege

Duterte in May 2017 cut short his trip to Russia after ISIS-inspired bandits attacked vital installations in Marawi City. He declared martial law in Mindanao which is in effect until now.

The siege ended after several months of clashes and air strikes that left the city in ruins.

“Over the last two years you have managed to lower the level of terrorist threat in your country and to strengthen the potential of your security bodies,” Putin told Duterte.

“We are prepared to develop our partnership when it comes to countering terrorism and share our experience and all the developments.”

Putin said Russian companies are ready “to increase the supplies of energy carriers, aircraft, transport, [and] special equipment.”

Putin also wanted to boost industrial cooperation and improve cooperation on exploration of space and the use of digital technologies.

He also pushed for the establishment of direct ties between entrepreneurs of the two countries.

Putin said trade between the two countries had grown two-fold to $1.2 billion. — RSJ, GMA News

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