Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana over the weekend expressed optimism that the country's defense ties with Russia will vastly improve under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Secretary Lorenzana was alluding to the independent foreign policy thrust of President Duterte.
Speaking aboard the Russian anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs, Lorenzana said he sees the goodwill visit of the Russian Navy as the start of closer partnership between the respective defense establishments of the Philippines and of Russia.
Admiral Tributs, an Udaloy class anti-submarine destroyer, together with the tanker and supply ship Boris Botoma of the Russian Navy, were both docked at Pier 15 at Manila South Harbor for a four day good will visit in the country.
"We thank you sincerely for this cordial gesture and we hope that this will be the start of a partnership between the One Defense Team - Philippines and its counterpart in the Russian Federation," Lorenzana said in the statement.
The defense secretary mentioned his trip to Russia early last month, where he met with the Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov and Director Alexander Fomin of the Federal Service of Military Technical Cooperation to discuss mutual concerns such as terrorism and illegal drugs.
Lorenzana said that, during his talks with Russian defense officials, they also talked about the possibility of future military engagements.
The defense secretary conveyed to the other side his agreement to continue the Memorandum of Understanding between the two defense organizations initiated in 2014.
Lorenzana said both sides agreed that the MOU should be finalized in time for signing during the forthcoming visit of President Duterte to Russia.
Once signed, the MOU becomes the basis of all future military-to-military engagements, which may include visits, exchange of students, conferences, joint exercises, among others.
"May our common aspirations for regional and global peace and security enable us to become good partners, cooperating and coordinating towards tranquil and safe seas for all," Lorenzana said.
http://interaksyon.com/article/135960/dnd-eyes-jumpstart-of-defense-mou-with-russia-under-duterte-administration
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