RUSSIA’S top diplomat in the Philippines has said that his country is willing to collaborate with the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on developing refinery plants and liquefied natural gas.
These projects would help address energy challenges in the Philippines, said Russian Ambassador Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov in a press conference held at Casino Español on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Russia is a top exporter of both oil and natural gas. It is one of the world’s top three crude producers, vying for the top spot with Saudi Arabia and the United States (US), according to the International Energy Agency. The West, led by the US, has imposed sanctions on the transcontinental country for its war in Ukraine.
In his visit to Cebu City on Wednesday, Pavlov said the Russian Federation has maintained strong ties with the Philippines, particularly on the economic side, adding that Russia has continued to collaborate with the current administration on energy and agriculture sectors. President Marcos has expressed his desire to adopt nuclear energy as part of the Philippines’ power mix.
When asked about Marcos’ foreign policy, Pavlov described the President’s stance as well-balanced and pragmatic. President Marcos has called the war between Ukraine and Russia “unacceptable” and called for both countries to settle their disputes diplomatically.
In a press conference at Casino Español, Pavlov talked about his country’s desire to strengthen cooperation and ties between Russia and the Philippines through an “economic approach and cultural understanding.”
The diplomat also mentioned that this cooperation would bring more projects and investment from Russia to the Philippines, particularly to Cebu City.
‘Friendship city’
Pavlov emphasized the significance of the “friendship city” agreement between the Cebu City Government and the City of Vladivostok in Russia, as it is the nearest city of Russia to the Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement was signed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama together with Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation Armi Lopez-Garcia, Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, and Sister City Program executive director Karla Henry-Ammann on Sept. 8, 2022.
Pavlov added that he is waiting for the Cebu City Government to send its delegation to Vladivostok City within this year, as it will bring mutually beneficial projects and programs to both cities. He also invited Rama and his delegation to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok City in September 2023, which is an international forum that brings foreign investment to the Russian Far East. This would be a good opportunity for the City of Cebu to attract investors and bring investment back to the country.
The official also discussed their continuing cultural understanding approach, particularly the “Meet Russia” cultural exchange program which bridges Russian and Filipino cultures.
“If there will be good investment, it is the cultural introduction and cultural cooperation,” Pavlov said.
One of the products of the cultural exchange was the romantic comedy movie “To Russia with Love,” which starred Filipino-American actor Gerald Anderson and Manila-based Russian actress Elena Koslova. The film was produced in collaboration with the Russian Federation Cultural Committee.
Prior to his Cebu City visit, Pavlov had visited Bohol on Tuesday, April 11. He met Gov. Erico Aris Aumentado, discussing different initiatives that will boost ties between Bohol and Russia, including economic, tourism, culture, creative arts, job generation, and investment.
Aumentado mentioned in his social media post that there was talk of the possibility of opening a sisterhood agreement between one of the administrative divisions of Russia and Bohol province. (EHP, KAL)