'Good potential': Marcos, Putin discuss energy, food security deal

MANILA, Philippines — During a bilateral meeting in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ways to improve cooperation and explore the “good potential” on food and energy resources

The Kazan meeting took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Russia Commemorative Summit.

READ: Marcos arrives in Kazan for Asean-Russia summit

“Your Excellency, we — there are many potential areas that I think we should still open to explore, and I think that the present level of trade, although it is steady, I think that this is — there is a great deal more that we can do,” Marcos said in his opening statement.

“We note that during the JCTEC [Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation] meeting held in Moscow, energy and food security emerged as a mutual — one of the mutual priorities of both our countries. And that is why we again, that B2B component at the sidelines of the JCTEC enabled the Philippines and Russia to establish networks and to explore joint ventures,” he added.

50th year of Philippines-Russia diplomatic ties

The meeting between Marcos and Putin comes as the Philippines and Russia mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.

“And we welcome the efforts of our respective embassies since last year, as they have spearheaded initiatives that celebrated this milestone. And this — and in particular, the photo exhibition that was held in Moscow, inaugurated and displayed in the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. We hope to continue our regular conduct of political consultations between our foreign ministries,” Marcos continued.

READ: Marcos in Russia: Recto, Estrella, Tolentino named gov’t caretakers

He also invited Putin to attend the 21st East Asia Summit, which is scheduled in Manila in November.

He also thanked Putin for the hospitality and support extended to the Philippine delegation during the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Moscow last September.

Putin cites ‘good potential’

For his part, Putin said there is “good potential” for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and energy.

“Apparently, we approach the present threshold with an immense capital of mutual beneficial cooperation, underpinned by good traditions of mutual respect and respect for legitimate interests of each other,” he said in Russian, as translated into English.

“Last year, bilateral trade exceeded .5 billion dollars. Of course, there is good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources,” Putin also said.

He also welcomed Marcos, who is visiting Russia for the first time.

“We all remember the visit by your father, Ferdinand Marcos, in Moscow in 1976. Upon this visit, a joint communique on the establishment of inter-state relations was adopted,” Putin said.

“It is noteworthy that then, amid the cold war, it required the political will from the Philippine leadership. Such a well-balanced and pragmatic approach to international affairs is, of course, of high demand today,” he added. /gsg

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