Kazan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his interest in unlocking opportunities to enhance the Philippines' relations with Russia, particularly in trade, tourism, and agriculture. In an interview with Russia Today on Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, Russia, Marcos said the two countries have yet to fully maximize the potential of their bilateral relations.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted that Manila and Moscow are 'playing catch-up' to strengthen their cooperation in both traditional and emerging areas with significant potential for growth. He emphasized the remarkable opportunities available in various sectors that did not exist before, alongside traditional areas where growth potential remains high. Marcos expressed the need to maximize these opportunities and identified many promising areas worth exploring and developing, expressing optimism about achieving favorable outcomes in the future.
Marcos noted that while the ties between the Philippines and Russia have steadily expanded over the years, economic cooperation remains below its potential. He described the 50-year diplomatic relations between the two nations as having experienced various challenges but emphasized that ties have endured despite shifting global geopolitics. Marcos acknowledged that recent engagements during his working visit to Russia have helped identify untapped areas of cooperation, and he expressed optimism that planned expansions would lead to positive results, particularly as both countries adjust to a multipolar global environment.
He further commented on the emerging opportunities for collaboration, stating that the Philippines and Russia are starting from a position that allows for substantial growth. Marcos highlighted the recognition of potential partnership areas and common goals in economic, political, and cultural development, as well as people-to-people exchanges, suggesting a wide road ahead for bilateral cooperation.
In addition to these developments, Marcos welcomed the planned launch of direct flights between Russia and the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of improved connectivity in boosting tourism and business exchanges. He noted that the main constraint on tourism growth is accessibility rather than demand, suggesting that direct flights would remove inefficiencies in travel routes, facilitating access to regional destinations. Marcos expressed confidence that direct air links would significantly increase travel between the two countries and emphasized the importance of developing regional airports to ease congestion in Manila.
Furthermore, Marcos stressed the significance of agriculture as a major pillar of Philippine-Russian cooperation, particularly in augmenting agricultural inputs like fertilizers amid global supply disruptions. The Philippines is seeking stable and long-term partnerships to increase fertilizer supply, with Russia expected to play a crucial role in ensuring stability. Marcos also highlighted opportunities in smart agriculture and technology transfer, noting the valuable experiences Russia can offer in these areas. Additionally, he mentioned the Philippines' interest in expanding exports of agricultural products, particularly tropical fruits, to Russia.
