20 May 2017

News Story: Duterte to witness signing of defense, trade deals in Russia visit

By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to witness the signing of several bilateral agreements during his official visit to Russia next week.

"These agreements are those related to defense, security, legal assistance, trade and investment, peaceful use of nuclear energy and culture," Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad said in a press briefing Friday.

The president is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during his visit to Moscow from May 22 to 26, marking a new chapter in Philippines-Russia relations.

The upcoming meeting follows the meeting of Duterte with Putin at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Lima, Peru in November last year. Duterte had also met with Medvedev during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Vientiane, Laos last September.

Duterte will discuss important issues and areas of cooperation and economic partnership with Medvedev while his meeting with Putin will dwell on cooperation in political, military and defense.

Read the full story at PhilStar