MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that enhancing cooperation in security, trade, energy, food security, and other key areas would top his agenda during his visit to Russia.
The President and his delegation departed on Tuesday midnight for Kazan, Russia, to participate in the commemorative summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Russia.
In his departure statement, Marcos said the trip carried both regional and personal significance as it marked his first visit to Russia.
“Today, I depart for Kazan, Russia, to participate in the Asean–Russia Commemorative Summit, marking the 35th anniversary of Asean-Russia relations,” the President said.
“It will be my first time on Russian soil—a journey I undertake nearly 50 years after my father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., made his own historic visit to the then-Soviet Union in 1976, which culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” he added.
The President said this milestone "opened an enduring chapter in Philippines-Russia relations grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation—one that we continue to build upon today.”
“As Chair of Asean, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that this Commemorative Summit produces substantive and forward-looking outcomes that deepen Asean’s Strategic Partnership with Russia and contribute, in concrete terms, to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” Marcos said.
"Together with my fellow Asean Leaders and President Vladimir Putin, we will take stock of 35 years of Asean–Russia cooperation and help chart a course for the decades ahead," he added.
