PRESIDENT Duterte is set to visit Russia on the first week of October in a bid to boost the countries’ bilateral ties.
Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said the President accepted the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to go to Moscow.
Asked what could the visit mean for both countries, Panelo said: “It depends on what they will agree upon, right? It could mean further improved relations between the two countries.”
However, Panelo has not yet confirmed the dates of the visit.
This would be the President’s second visit to Russia after he had to cut short his first trip when he declared martial law in Mindanao as the Marawi siege erupted in May 2017.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said last week the President will go to Russia to make up for his abbreviated first state visit to Russia.
The first meeting between Duterte and Putin took place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in November 2016.
In 2017, Russia was the Philippines 29th trading partner, 37th export market and 24th import supplier.
The Philippines and Russia have signed several bilateral agreements on tourism, agriculture, defense, trade and industry, foreign affairs, transportation and culture and the arts.
Image credits: www.kremlin.ru