Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — He just came home from China, and on Monday he’s off to Russia. Clearly, President Duterte is moving forward in his vow to build closer ties with non-traditional partners.
The highlight of his next trip, his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin who personally invited him over when they first met in Peru last November.
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President Duterte will visit Moscow and St. Petersburg where President Putin was born.
Several bilateral deals are expected to be signed during the trip, including one on defense cooperation.
Russian leaders previously told President Duterte that they’re ready to help in the AFP’s modernization program.
The visit could be a venue to jumpstart military procurement deals.
Last year, Maria Cleofe Natividad of the Office of European Affairs of the DFA said, “Secretary Lorenzana has already mentioned that the Philippines is looking for partnership with countries wherein we can get the best deals and also the ones that would be most compatible with the defense and needs of the Philippines especially in the aspect of interoperability.”
Apart from defense, there are a number of other areas of cooperation with much potential but have yet to be maximized.
Though diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Russia have been around for four decades now, the Department of Foreign Affairs admits bilateral engagement between the two nations in practically all areas of cooperation has been “nascent” and “modest.”
In an interview on The Source in January this year, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, said “In our view, this visit should be a milestone in the history of our bilateral relationship.”
READ: “Milestone” in PH-Russia ties ahead: Russian ambassador to PH
Bilateral trade is one area which could see better numbers.
Last year, bilateral trade between the two countries only stood at $226 million, with the Philippines exporting only $49 million worth of goods to Russia.
That’s far less than the billions of dollars traded with the U.S. and Japan.
Local tourism may also benefit from better ties with Russia, Russian tourists entering the country every year only stand at about 38,000 – way below other visiting nationalities.
With his top-level Cabinet and a business delegation to back him up, President Duterte hopes to change all these when he speaks to Russian businessmen at a forum in Moscow.
Natividad said, “The forum would be an opportune time to share with the Russian companies the benefits of doing business in the Philippines and the very positive investment climate, especially in such areas such as infrastructure, energy, transportation, tourism, and others.”
President Duterte is also scheduled to speak at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations to stress his independent foreign policy.
He will also meet with the estimated 5,000 Filipinos working in Russia.
President Rodrigo Duterte will be in Russia from May 23-26.
Updated on May 22 to reflect the correct dates of President Duterte’s official visit to Russia.
