PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expecting that his "most-anticipated" four-day visit to Russia would give the much-needed boost to the four decades old bilateral relations between Moscow and the Manila.
"Russia is a country that we must work with. There are opportunities for cooperation that cannot be ignored. With its geographic footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and strategic interests in the region, a positive engagement is required to find areas of synergies and interests," Duterte said during his departure speech at the Davao International Airport.
"It is my hope that this official visit will lay the firm for a robust, comprehensive and mutually-beneficial Philippine-Russian partnership, founded with a shared aspiration, sovereign equality, and pragmatism. There is room for growth. There is room for positive change," he added.
The Philippines and Russia has been diplomatic partners for over 40 years. Duterte, however, said that there were just "slight" improvements on both countries’ relations.
In his first months in office, Duterte has veered away from the Philippines' accustomed mindset to rely on its long-time ally United States and looked forward to establish new and improved partnerships with other countries like Russia.
Duterte said his visit to Russia would pave way for opening the doors to develop mutually-beneficial cooperation and explore many opportunities.
"Russia must cease to be at the margins of Philippine diplomacy. Our dependence on traditional partners has limited our room to maneuver in a very dynamic international arena. This is strategic oversight that has led to many missed opportunities for our country. I am determined to correct this," he said.
"My administration will give Philippines-Russia relations the importance commensurate its full potential. We will push for pragmatic engagement in the politico-security sphere, increased economic cooperation and enhanced cultural and people-to-people exchanges. This is a concrete expression of this deliberate policy decision," said Duterte.
Duterte is scheduled to hold two separate bilateral with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday.
On Thursday, he is set to have restricted meeting with Putin and witness signing of agreements, including defense deal.
The President said he would take the opportunity to discuss with two leaders the "ways of charting the future direction of our partnership across many areas."
"We will exchange views on regional and international issues to determine how we can best advance our shared interests," Duterte said.
Duterte is also expected to grace several business meetings to encourage Russian businessmen to invest in the Philippines.
He said he would let Russian investors know that Philippines means "serious business."
The President said he would also meet the Filipinos working and residing in Russia to personally thank them for their contributions and relay to them that he is determined to repay their hard work.
"We'll also meet Filipino community in Moscow. I will thank them for their contribution to nation building. I will also tell them that your government continues to work very hard to give you the country a future that you all deserve," he said. (VoxPop Philippines)
