Philippines keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts

From Ang Malaya (20): Philippines keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts

Senate President Franklin Drilon is currently in Russia at the invitation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Chairperson of the Federal Council Valentina I. Metvienko. The Senate chief is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Plenary Session of the Federal Council on October 21 2015. “He will be the first Filipino statesman to address the Russian Parliament,” Senate of the Philippines said in a press statement.

While in Moscow, October 19, Senator Drilon met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lagrov. They were able to discuss pressing global issues including recent developments in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe. They also tackled the issue of disputes in West Philippine Sea.

“Our efforts at the regional level should be complemented by our work at the bilateral level. This is why the Philippines is keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts. I believe we need not be held back by history and traditional alliances. Pragmatism and imagination should guide us instead,” the senator told the Russian official.

“We are in total agreement and keen on moving forward with our bilateral relations,” Lagrov told Drilon.

“The Senate President said the Philippines is also interested in signing a number of pending agreements from consular protection, to humanitarian cooperation, to trade and investment enhancement, to fighting transnational crimes, including terrorism, to defense and security cooperation, among others,” the Senate said in the statement.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/10/20/14451-philippines-keen-on-deepening-relations-with-russia-on-all-fronts