Duterte prepping for visit to Russia

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/INQUIRER

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. has started preparations for President Duterte’s planned visit to Russia next year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited Mr. Duterte to visit Moscow during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Peru last month.

On Monday, Yasay met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow where they discussed the state of bilateral ties and explored areas of cooperation which may be enhanced, particularly politics, security, economy and culture, ahead of the President’s visit, a DFA statement said.

It said the two officials agreed to “redouble efforts to conclude a number of agreements that would form part of the legal framework on which to build relations,” mostly involving trade, tourism, culture and regional security.

Yasay and Lavrov also discussed regional and global concerns, particularly the priorities of the Philippines as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year as well as issues concerning the United Nations, the DFA said.

Yasay told reporters in Moscow that the meeting with Lavrov was aimed at further strengthening their countries’ partnership, which has reached “a new stage,” while the Russian foreign minister cited the Philippines as a “promising partner for Russia” in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both countries were committed to stepping up their political dialogue through interparliamentary, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges and contacts between the security councils’ of the two states, Lavrov said in a statement, according to the Russian foreign ministry.

“We confirmed our mutual interest in expanding cooperation in fighting international terrorism and drug trafficking. Russia is ready to provide advanced professional training to relevant law enforcement officers of the Philippines,” Lavrov said.