PRESIDENT Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday night vowed to continue and strengthen the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Russia by pursuing more areas of mutual interest, such as the fight against the coronavirus disease.
The two leaders exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday to commemorate the respective holidays in their countries.
The Philippines commemorated its 123rd Independence Day on June 12 while Russia celebrated Russia Day also on June 12.
“On this day of national unity and celebration, let me convey the Filipino people’s best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of your great nation,” Duterte said in his message to Putin.
He recalled the Philippines and Russia had just marked 45 years of “warm and fruitful ties” and expressed confidence the friendly relations of the two nations would be sustained.
“I am confident that our strong relations will continue to thrive in the years ahead as we deepen cooperation in more areas of mutual interest, including in our common fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte said.
Putin, in his message, greeted the Philippines on its Independence Day and looked forward to more cooperation between Manila and Moscow in different fields, including “pressing international challenges.”
“The Russia-Philippines relations are traditionally friendly. I am confident that by joining efforts we will secure further development on constructive bilateral dialogue, fruitful cooperation in different fields as well as partnership to respond to pressing international challenges. It fully meets the interests of our two nations and goes in line with strengthening security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” the Russian leader said.
Putin, in ending his message, wished Duterte good health and success, and the Filipinos well-being and prosperity.
Last April, the two leaders met in a telesummit where they renewed their commitments to further enhance the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Russia and discussed, among others, the COVID-19 pandemic and defense cooperation between the Philippines and Russia.
The Philippines is buying 20 million doses of Sputnik V from Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute to support the country’s vaccination program.
To date, the country has received a total of 180,000 doses of Sputnik V, including 100,000 delivered last June 11.
