Russia hails PHL as vital partner in Asia-Pacific
Russia recognized the Philippines as one of its “vital and promising" partner in the Asia-Pacific region, as the Philippines marked its 113th Independence Day last weekend.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin disclosed this as he and Ministry of Culture Counselor Leo Dzugaev graced the event as the embassy’s guests of honor.
“[Borodavkin] called the Philippines Russia’s ‘vital and promising partner in the Asia-Pacific region, whose role in the global system of international relations and world economy is significantly increasing,’" the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Last weekend’s event also marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor Garcia III noted that the partnership was founded on friendship and promotion of shared interests for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Garcia pointed out that even before formal Philippine-Russia ties were established, historical accounts show the existence of earlier contacts between the two countries. A town in Eastern Samar served as sanctuary to some 6,000 “White Russians" from 1949 to 1951.
Bilateral relations
Since then, bilateral relations have been enhanced, and to date, the two countries have concluded framework agreements to facilitate further cooperation, notably in tourism and air services, defense and security, culture, and education.
Garcia stressed that there is much more in the horizon that the two countries can do together to bring the relations to greater heights.
Borodavkin said the celebration of the 35th year of diplomatic relations presents a good opportunity to evaluate the progress that has been achieved so far and to outline further directions of mutually beneficial partnership.
He expressed satisfaction that Manila and Moscow share the same view on various crucial issues such as the creation of an open and transparent security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.
The similarity of the approaches of the two countries is an excellent advantage that enables the Philippines and Russia to strengthen political dialogue and open up new opportunities for mutual work on other key issues facing the international community.
Cultural cooperation
Dzugaev said cultural cooperation between the Philippines and Russia holds so much promise, particularly with the signing in 2010 of the Protocol on Cooperation between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Russian Ministry of Culture.
A major component of the protocol is the holding of the Days of Russian Culture in the Philippines in 2011 and the Days of Philippine Culture in Russia in 2012. He said that cooperation in this field would only bring the people of the two countries closer.
The embassy also held an art exhibit of Filipino scenes by visiting painter Nemi Miranda, a voice and piano recital by multi-awarded soprano Rachelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, and an exhibit of Russian Icon paintings by women expatriates of Moscow, including Madam Connie Garcia.
There was also a cultural performance of song and dances led by Madam Garcia, the embassy, and members of the Asia-Pacific Women’s Group.
There was likewise a reception attended by close to 300 guests from the diplomatic community, the Russian government, the business sector, and the Filipino community in Russia.
New level of maturity
The Philippines and Russia forged formal diplomatic ties on June 2, 1976.
“Since then, bilateral ties have reached a new level of maturity manifested through cooperation in such diverse sectors as defense and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education, culture, and tourism. To date, a total of 31 bilateral agreements have been signed," the DFA said.
Official visits by leaders of the executive and parliamentary branches of the two countries have enhanced people-to-people contact.
Three Philippine presidents have already visited Russia — Ferdinand Marcos in 1976, Fidel Ramos in 1997, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009. — JE, GMA News
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin disclosed this as he and Ministry of Culture Counselor Leo Dzugaev graced the event as the embassy’s guests of honor.
“[Borodavkin] called the Philippines Russia’s ‘vital and promising partner in the Asia-Pacific region, whose role in the global system of international relations and world economy is significantly increasing,’" the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Last weekend’s event also marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor Garcia III noted that the partnership was founded on friendship and promotion of shared interests for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Garcia pointed out that even before formal Philippine-Russia ties were established, historical accounts show the existence of earlier contacts between the two countries. A town in Eastern Samar served as sanctuary to some 6,000 “White Russians" from 1949 to 1951.
Bilateral relations
Since then, bilateral relations have been enhanced, and to date, the two countries have concluded framework agreements to facilitate further cooperation, notably in tourism and air services, defense and security, culture, and education.
Garcia stressed that there is much more in the horizon that the two countries can do together to bring the relations to greater heights.
Borodavkin said the celebration of the 35th year of diplomatic relations presents a good opportunity to evaluate the progress that has been achieved so far and to outline further directions of mutually beneficial partnership.
He expressed satisfaction that Manila and Moscow share the same view on various crucial issues such as the creation of an open and transparent security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.
The similarity of the approaches of the two countries is an excellent advantage that enables the Philippines and Russia to strengthen political dialogue and open up new opportunities for mutual work on other key issues facing the international community.
Cultural cooperation
Dzugaev said cultural cooperation between the Philippines and Russia holds so much promise, particularly with the signing in 2010 of the Protocol on Cooperation between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Russian Ministry of Culture.
A major component of the protocol is the holding of the Days of Russian Culture in the Philippines in 2011 and the Days of Philippine Culture in Russia in 2012. He said that cooperation in this field would only bring the people of the two countries closer.
The embassy also held an art exhibit of Filipino scenes by visiting painter Nemi Miranda, a voice and piano recital by multi-awarded soprano Rachelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, and an exhibit of Russian Icon paintings by women expatriates of Moscow, including Madam Connie Garcia.
There was also a cultural performance of song and dances led by Madam Garcia, the embassy, and members of the Asia-Pacific Women’s Group.
There was likewise a reception attended by close to 300 guests from the diplomatic community, the Russian government, the business sector, and the Filipino community in Russia.
New level of maturity
The Philippines and Russia forged formal diplomatic ties on June 2, 1976.
“Since then, bilateral ties have reached a new level of maturity manifested through cooperation in such diverse sectors as defense and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education, culture, and tourism. To date, a total of 31 bilateral agreements have been signed," the DFA said.
Official visits by leaders of the executive and parliamentary branches of the two countries have enhanced people-to-people contact.
Three Philippine presidents have already visited Russia — Ferdinand Marcos in 1976, Fidel Ramos in 1997, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009. — JE, GMA News
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