RUSSIA and the Philippines have entered into 10 key bilateral agreements, including the defense cooperation deal, in a bid to invigorate both countries' ties.
The signing of agreements between the two countries pushed through in Moscow on Wednesday night, Russia time, even sans the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte, who had to cut short his Russia trip and return to Manila due to reported clashes between government forces and Maute group, was instead represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
A defense cooperation agreement was signed by the Department of National Defense and Russia's Ministry of Defense to expand exchanges in terms of training, seminars and best practices between the two countries.
The defense deal aims to develop relations in the field of military education, including military medicine, military history, sports, and culture; as well as experiences in consultation, observer participation in military training exercises, and military port calls.
Also signed was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Security Council Secretariat and Russia's Security Council in the field of security.
The Department of Trade and Industry and Russia's Ministry of Economic Development inked a memorandum of intent to foster mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
On the field of agriculture, an MOU was signed to bring about food security in the Philippines through cooperation and research in agriculture and fisheries; livestock breeding; processing, transportation and storage of agriculture and fishery products and other agricultural products.
The Department of Tourism and Russia's Ministry of Tourism signed an MOU and a joint action program for the period of 2017 to 2019 to promote tourism and exchange of best practices between the two countries.
Also signed was an MOU on cooperation in industry development related to the products and technologies intended to strengthen the industries of both countries.
An agreement on transportation cooperation was signed to exchange technology and best practices in transportation, with Russia rendering support and technical assistance in transport area, and cooperation in the framework of research projects and educational visits.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Russia's Ministry of Culture signed a protocol on cooperation to promote participation in international film and art festivals in both countries; and exchange of music, circus, dance and theater groups or individual artist
The two countries also signed a deal that seeks cooperation on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also inked plan of consultations starting this year until 2019.
Cayetano said the agreements will help boost economy and achieve peace and security in the Philippines.
"The signing of these 10 agreements manifests the interest and desire of both the Philippines and Russia to pursue a wide range of cooperation," Cayetano said. (SunStar Philippines)