During which, regional leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in security, trade, energy, food security, and other key areas.
In his departure statement, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. noted that his trip to Kazan, Russia is both regionally and personally significant, as it his first time to visit Russia.
“Today, I depart for Kazan, Russia, to participate in the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit, marking the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations,” the President said in a message that was released as he, along with his delegation, left shortly after 11:55 pm on Tuesday, June 16.
“It will be my first time on Russian soil—a journey I undertake nearly fifty (50) years after my father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., made his own historic visit to the then-Soviet Union in 1976, which culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” he continued.
Meanwhile, he also noted the relations between Philippines-Russia, which he told is “grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation—one that we continue to build upon today,” was a result of that.
In the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which the Philippines serves as its chair this year, he told: “As Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that this Commemorative Summit produces substantive and forward-looking outcomes that deepen ASEAN’s Strategic Partnership with Russia and contribute, in concrete terms, to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.”
Marcos also noted that the leaders in the region and Russian Presiden Vladimir Putin will “take stock of 35 years of ASEAN–Russia cooperation and help chart a course for the decades ahead.”
According to the President, discussions during the summit will focus on cooperation in peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Notably, the summit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.
“For over five decades, our bilateral ties have steadily deepened across trade, education, culture, agriculture, energy, science, and, above all, through the sustained bonds between our peoples. We look forward to building on these foundations and opening new avenues of cooperation for the future,” he stated.
Thus, on the sidelines of the summit, President Marcos is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin.
“Beyond marking our golden anniversary of diplomatic relations, which were formally established on June 2, 1976, our discussions will focus on concrete areas of mutual interest, particularly energy and food security,” the President said.
He furthered, “Guided by our ASEAN Chairship theme, ‘Navigating Our Future, Together,’ the Philippines will continue to champion ASEAN unity, centrality, and solidarity, and promote an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture anchored in international law.”
“We travel to Kazan with purpose, and we return with renewed commitment to our partnership,” the President also said.
Prior to his departure, Deputy Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Dominic Xavier Imperial said in a Palace press briefing that the meeting will also see the leader discuss “some very important regional international issues,” which both sides consider important for the relationship.
As to the possible agreement on oil, fuel diversification, nuclear or renewable energy cooperation, the DFA official said he does not want to preempt the results of the President’s bilateral meeting with Putin and the summit
He, however, noted that what is important is that both leaders are able to sit down and discuss priority areas.
Imperial also said that ordinary Filipinos can benefit from the country’s cooperation with Russia in various fields such as climate change, health, counterterrorism and transnational crime.
“There are several ways that if we are going to look at this summit in different angles, there are several ways,” the official said. “So, on the political security level, we are looking at, you know, several ways that ASEAN and Russia are cooperating. I already mentioned earlier, iyong counter terrorism and transnational crime.”
The DFA official also said ordinary Filipinos should understand that the country’s engagements with Russia are very helpful, particularly in capacity building and training of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law.
The engagements also help the country address emerging challenges, such as transnational crime through counterterrorism initiatives, as well as combat the proliferation of illicit drugs, said Imperial.
“Again, there’s so many ways that the perpetrators are able to evade or go around our domestic laws,” he noted. “But through these engagements, we are able to again, get training, we are able to get information sharing that will be very important for the country to be able to address these problems.”
Under the socio-cultural pillar of the relationship, the areas of cooperation include climate change, health, and disaster management, said the DFA official.
“So, these are areas where we can get more support to address these areas. And you know, climate change, the impact of that, that’s very important para sa ating lahat, sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Based on 2024 data, the Philippines received more than 30,000 visitors from Russia, which Imoerial explained to be the highest in recent years, which also saw an upward trend.