DRILON, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS KEY GLOBAL ISSUES, PEACEFUL
SETTLEMENT, ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL LAW, STRONGER BILATERAL TIES
DRILON CONVEYS PERSONAL INVITATION OF PBSAIII
FOR PRESIDENT PUTIN TO ATTEND APEC

19 October 2015, Moscow - Top officials of the Philippines and Russia met today and discussed pressing global issues. Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lagrov held talks that covered a wide range of issues, including recent developments in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Senate President Drilon also handed to Foreign Minister Lavrov the letter of President Benigno S. Aquino III to President Vladimir Putin inviting the latter to attend the 23 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Manila next month. The Senate President stressed that President Putin will be warmly welcomed in the Philippines.

The Senate President is in Russia on the invitation of Mme. Valentina I. Metvienko, Chairperson of the Federal Council, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Senate President Drilon will also deliver a speech at the Plenary Session of the Federal Council on 21 October 2015. He will be the first Filipino statesman to address the Russian Parliament.

On behalf of President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed deep appreciation for the invitation and said that President Putin is looking forward to visiting Manila next month.

During their discussion, the Senate President emphasized the keen interest of the Philippine Government in global peace and stability. "We are particularly interested in Russia's foreign policy responses to crisis situations because of the presence of many Filipinos in affected areas. As a former Labor Minister, this was a matter that I had dealt with directly. Peace and stability in conflict areas is crucial for all of us," Senate President Drilon told the Russian Foreign Minister.

For his part, Foreign Minister Lavrov said that he fully understood the position of the Philippines. He then briefed the Senate President on Russian policies and actions in the Middle East, emphasizing "we want peace and stability in the Middle East and will work hard to achieve this We are also very open to working with everybody on this."

Pointing to record growth of the Philippine economy, the Senate President said that sound governance and the hard work and commitment of the Filipino people are behind this, and that "it is our hope that the region remains stable for the sake of all our continued economic growth." He added that "new and old sources of tensions and potential conflicts deeply concern us."

The two officials also touched on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, with the Senate President noting that Russia is neutral on the issue of claims "but supportive of peaceful settlement in accordance with international law." He told the Russian Foreign Minister that "both countries can still work together to strengthen regional peace and stability."

Foreign Minister Lavrov told the Senate President that Russia also wants a peaceful solution to the West Philippine Sea issue and that it particularly supports the conclusion of a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea.

Referring to bilateral relations, the Senate President said, "our efforts at the regional level should be complemented by our work at the bilateral level. This is why the Philippine is keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts. I believe we need not be held back by history and traditional alliances. Pragmatism and imagination should guide us instead." To which the Russian Foreign Minister said "we are in total agreement and keen on moving forward with our bilateral relations."

They also said they looked forward to the bilateral meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino Ill and President Vladimir Putin at the sideline of APEC Manila next month.

The Senate President said the Philippines in also interested in signing a number of pending agreements from consular protection, to humanitarian cooperation, to trade and investment enhancement, to fighting transnational crimes, including terrorism, to defense and security cooperation, among others.

Foreign Minister Lavrov said that both countries should work closely together to finalize and conclude these agreements.