PH Embassy in Russia Hosts Christmas Lunch for Key Foreign Ministry Officials

Officials of Foreign Ministry of Russia Third Asian Department and the Philippine Embassy in Moscow meet before their Christmas lunch at the Embassy Chancery. The Third Asian Department oversees Russia’s relations with the Philippines. (V. Cara, C. Narvaez photo)

MOSCOW 26 December 2019 —The Philippine Embassy in Moscow hosted a Christmas Lunch in honor of the Russian Foreign Ministry key officials responsible for Philippine-Russia relations at the Embassy Chancery on 11 December 2019.

Over the past few years, Philippine-Russia relations have intensified at an unprecedented pace, marked by two visits to Russia by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, increased exchanges of visits by high officials, a robust legal framework for cooperation in various fields, and improved trade, among others.

“All of what we have achieved so far and much of what we hope to accomplish are largely due to the excellent working relationship we have with the Third Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  We thought we’d take a break from work to show our appreciation and honor the key officials largely responsible for the vastly improved state of our relations,” said Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta.

The Embassy served Philippine cuisine as well as Philippine liquor including rum and lambanog.  Ambassador Sorreta said that he had wanted the lunch to be a casual and light affair, but that “we couldn’t help to once in a while turn the conversation to our work, given our determination to do even more to deepen our relations in the coming year”.

Honored at the lunch were officials of the Third Asian Department led by Director Nikolay Nozdrev, with Deputy Director Anatoly Borovik, Mr. Alexey Demchenko, and Ms. Nina Prakapovich, as well as Embassy officials Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Robert Ferrer, and Vice-Consul Grace Perpetua, Vice-Consul Anna Guerra and Vice-Consul Khaye Alpay. END

Foreign Ministry of Russia Third Asian Department Head Director Nikolay Nozdrev (left) with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (right). (V. Cara, C. Narvaez photo)

Foreign Ministry of Russia Third Asian Department Officials toast to the continuing strong relations between the Philippines and Russia. (V. Cara, C. Narvaez photo)

Foreign Ministry of Russia Third Asian Department Officials pose for a photo opportunity after the Christmas lunch hosted by the Philippine Embassy to Russia. (V. Cara, C. Narvaez photo)

For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph,  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/  or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia.