President Rodrigo Duterte’s focus on Russia will result in wider diplomatic, security and commercial ties with that country.
The same will be true with the countries in Latin America, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East where the Duterte administration will seek better ties, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said.
“President Duterte shifted his foreign policy recalibration to high gear during his just-concluded official visit to Russia that has led to stronger economic ties between Manila and Moscow,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte added that President Duterte’s “friendship” with Russia has borne fruit as that country expressed for the Philippine’s anti-terrorism campaign.
“We expect stronger economic and political relations between Manila and other nations, including non-traditional allies, following the President’s commitment to further expand his foreign policy thrusts to include Latin America, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East in the remaining half of his presidency,” said Villafuerte, who was part of the President’s official delegation to Moscow.
At the same time, Villafuerte commended the President for seeking better protection for migrant Filipinos in pushing a labor deal for OFWs during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the President’s official visit to Russia, the Philippines signed at least 10 business deals estimated to be worth $12.57 million.
The President said the gains “we have made in this visit bring us a step closer to our objective of a stable, comfortable and secure life for all Filipinos.”
Duterte said the Philippines and Russia have agreed to broaden and deepen ties in all areas of cooperation, including security and defense, trade and investment, agriculture, energy, science and technology and socio-cultural exchanges.
The two countries also signed bilateral cooperation agreements on the peaceful uses of energy, scientific research, health, culture and foreign policy consultations.