PH Solons Visit Forges Closer Ties with Russia
The delegation during meetings with State Duma and Federation Council Officials. (Moscow PE photo)
MOSCOW 18 December 2019 — Just over a month after the visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, a delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives travelled to Moscow from 11 to 16 November 2019 to meet with their counterparts.
The delegation also met with other Russian officials and held consultations with the Philippine Embassy in Moscow.
“This is a very timely visit, coming shortly after that of President Duterte. This visit certainly helped forged closer ties between the Philippines and Russia,” Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta said.
The legislative delegation was led by the committee’s Chairman, Representative Dulce Ann Hofer of the Second District of Zamboanga Sibugay, and composed of committee members Samantha Louise Vargas-Alfonso (Second District of Cagayan), Ian Paul Dy (Third District of Isabela), Vincent Frasco (Fifth District of Cebu), Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba (First District of Bukidnon), Juliette Uy (Second District of Misamis Oriental), and Ma. Lucille Nava (Guimaras).
The delegation’s visit was upon the invitation of Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid E. Slutsky.
In the State Duma, Russia’s counterpart to the Philippine House of Representatives, the delegation met with members of the Committee on International Affairs led by Chairman Slutsky. The delegation also met with members of the Philippine Parliamentary Friendship Group and called on Vice Speaker of the State Duma Olga Epifanova.
In Russia’s Federation Council, the counterpart of the Philippine Senate, the delegation met with members of the Committee on International Affairs, led by Chairman Konstantin Kosachev.
Topics discussed during their meetings at the State Duma and Federal Council covered areas of further cooperation, including the need to address the situation of Filipino workers in Russia, and future high-level visits.
Aside from meeting Russian legislators, the delegation also met with Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
Representative Hofer characterized the visit as successful stating that “more than the discussions of possible areas of cooperation between the House of Representatives and the State Duma, the visit led to a greater understanding of Russia and consequently of how we can better collaborate with them in areas of mutual benefit to both our countries.”
The Representatives also met with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta to discuss ways on further boosting the renewed relations between the legislators of both countries, and with the Embassy personnel to discuss initiatives for improving the services offered to Filipino nationals in Russia.
“This visit comes at a time when relations between our two countries have taken on a new character – one of trust, better understanding, and closer cooperation. By making a bold decision to expand the frontiers of our foreign policy beyond our traditional partners, many new and exciting opportunities are to be had, for our country and our people,” Ambassador Sorreta said. END
The members of the PH House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs after their meeting at the Federation Council. From left to right: Rep. Vincent Frasco, Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava, Rep. Juliette Uy, Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer, Rep. Samantha Louise Vargas-Alfonso, Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba, and Rep. Ian Paul Dy. (Moscow PE photo)
The solons during their meeting with PH Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (fifth from right), Madame Teelo Sorreta (fifth from left), and Deputy Chief of Mission Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. at the Embassy (rightmost). (Moscow PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia.