Russia must cease to be at the margins of Philippine foreign diplomacy,” says Duterte
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte left for Russia on Monday, May 22, for an official trip saying he is opening up the Philippines for friendship and advancing of shared interests with the Russians, underscoring his commitment to follow an independent foreign policy for the Philippines.
The President said his four-day landmark visit is “most anticipated” having been the product of his previous meetings with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Laos last year, and with President Vladimir Putin in Peru last year, and also most recently in Beijing during the “One Belt, One Road” forum in China.
“My visit underscores the independence of the Philippines’ foreign policy, and the firm resolve to broaden the horizons of friendship and cooperation with other nations,” said Duterte before leaving for his flight to Russia accompanied by leaders of Congress, key members of his cabinet, as well as around 200 businessmen.
He said the high level delegation that he brings with him to Russia befitted the high level of importance he accords to Russia and to the “writing of a new chapter of Philippines-Russian relations.”
Duterte said “Russia is a country that we must work with.”
“There are opportunities for cooperation that cannot be ignored,” he said.
The President said Russia “must cease to be at the margins of Philippine foreign diplomacy.”
“Overdependence on traditional partners has limited our room to maneuver in a very dynamic international arena,” Duterte said in apparent reference to the United States.
“This is a strategic oversight that has led to many missed opportunities for our country,” he said. “I am determined to correct this.”
While in Moscow, Duterte will meet with Putin and Medvedev to chart the new areas of cooperation between Russia and the Philippines including economic growth, and how they can best advance their shared interests.
The enhancement of defense capabilities of the Philippines is also one point of interest of the Philippine government.
Duterte noted that Philippine Russian relations started 40 years ago, but the doors of cooperation were opened “ever so slightly.”
“We can work together to open those doors even wider,” he said.
“My administration will give Philippine-Russian relations the importance commensurate to its full potential.”
Duterte explained that this was a “deliberate policy decision.”
The “concrete expression” of this is a push for a pragmatic engagement in the political security spehere, enhancement of the economic cooperation and of cultural and people to people exchanges.
He said Russia has a geographic footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, there should be positive engagement for “areas of synergy and interest.”
“Certainly I will take the opportunity to engage the business leaders in Russia… I will let them know that the Philippines means serious business,” he said.
The President will also meet with the Filipino community in Moscow, and thank them for their contribution to the Philippine economy.
But more than this, he said his visit “gives the rare opportunity to the Russian people to know more about the Philippines and our people.”
“We seek nothing more than a friendship of equals based on mutual respect,” Duterte said.
The President said that under his command, there will be “robust Philippines-Russia partnership founded on shared aspiration, sovereign equality and pragmatism.”
“There is room for growth, there is room for positive change,” he added.