The Philippines and Russia are planning to strengthen their respective defense presence by opening defense attache offices in Manila and Moscow, a Philippine diplomat has said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin (Source://www.philstar.com)
Hanoi (VNA)- The Philippines and Russia are planning to strengthen their respectivedefense presence by opening defense attache offices in Manila and Moscow, aPhilippine diplomat has said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his Russian counterpart, VladimirPutin, will witness the signing of a number of defense cooperation and otherbilateral agreements during the former's official visit to Russia from May 22to 26, Philippine Assistant Foreign Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad said at a press conference on May 19.
According to Natividad, the agreements are related todefense, security, legal assistance, trade and investment, nuclear energy usefor peaceful and culture purpose.
She noted the Philippines looks forward to having greater exchanges of views onhow to deal with security challenges as well as strengthen presence of defenseattache offices in both Moscow and Manila, which are expected to help reinforcethe bilateral partnership in approaching both traditional and non-traditionalsecurity matters such as thefight against terrorism and illegal drug-trafficking.
Duterte's upcoming official visit to Russia will open a new chapter in the Philippines-Russiarelations, she stressed, adding that the visit shows the strong desire of theSoutheast Asian nation to enhance ties between the two countries.-VNA
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin (Source://www.philstar.com) 
