MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to explore stronger cooperation in food and energy security, signaling a push to deepen economic ties as the Philippines and Russia mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, where Marcos, serving as ASEAN chair, highlighted untapped opportunities for trade and investment despite steadily growing bilateral relations. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation in key sectors crucial to both countries’ economic and development goals, including agriculture, energy, innovation, manufacturing, and food processing.
In his opening remarks, Marcos underscored the significance of the meeting as both countries celebrate five decades of diplomatic ties established on June 2, 1976.
“It is a particularly significant time for us to be meeting as this is the 50 years celebration of Philippine-Russian ties,” Marcos said.
The President welcomed efforts to commemorate the milestone and stressed the importance of sustained political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Marcos also invited Putin to attend the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila in November, describing the gathering as an important venue for advancing regional stability and cooperation.
“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.
The President noted that food and energy security emerged as priority areas during the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Moscow last year.
He added that both countries are also seeking to expand business partnerships in innovation, retail products, cosmetics, food processing, and industrial development.
Putin, for his part, said Russia and the Philippines have built a relationship grounded in mutual respect and shared interests over the past five decades.
“Apparently, we are approaching the present threshold with an immense capital of mutually beneficial cooperation underpinned by good traditions of mutual respect and respect for legitimate interests of each other,” Putin said.
The Russian leader noted that bilateral trade exceeded $500 million last year and expressed confidence that economic relations could grow further.
“Of course, this is far from the limit. And of course, there is a good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources,” he said.
Putin also congratulated the Philippines on its 128th Independence Day and recalled the 1976 visit of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. to the Soviet Union, which paved the way for the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The meeting took place as ASEAN and Russia commemorate 35 years of dialogue relations, with leaders expected to discuss trade, regional security, science and technology, food and energy security, and broader economic cooperation./PN
