GOVPH

PHL Embassy Holds Talks with Top Russian Immigration Affairs Officials

Colonel Olga E. Kirilova, head of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta. (Photo by J. Valdez)

26 September 2017 MOSCOW - The protection of the rights and welfare of Filipinos in Russia was the major topic of discussion between Philippine Ambassador to Moscow Carlos D. Sorreta and Colonel Olga E. Kirilova, Head of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs (MDMA) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on September 20 at the MDMA office in Moscow.

Key Russian migration and other officials were also at the meeting namely, Elena Anatolyevna Proshina, Head of Directorate for External and Labor Migration; Mikhail Yurievich Deev, Deputy Head of Directorate for Police International Cooperation; Alexander Olegovich Tolstobrov, Acting Head of Visa Section; Timur Sirozhevich Sadykov, Third Asian Department of the MFA; and Tatayana Yurievna Matyasheva, Counselor, International Cooperation Section.  Ambassador Sorreta was accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jeffrey Valdez.

“We discussed a number of issues and did so with some depth and detail. Our meeting is part of our Embassy’s efforts to work with the Russian government to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos in Russia,” according to Ambassador Sorreta. “This is a continuing dialogue that we have with the Russian government, particularly with the officials in charge of migration on the issue of Filipinos already Russia and those seeking to travel to Russia,” the Ambassador added.

“We received the assurance of closer cooperation in cases where Filipinos are detained, particularly the importance of informing the Embassy of such cases in a timely manner,” Ambassador Sorreta said.

The activities of illegal recruiters and human traffickers were also discussed and both sides agreed to work together to prevent these in accordance with their respective laws as well as commitments under international law.

“We also came to an understanding that there is a need to find a long term and meaningful solution on the issue of visas and visa status of Filipinos in Russia and agreed to intensify our discussions towards finding a solution.  These discussions will also involve the Ministry of Labor which is the agency that certifies if there is a legitimate demand for foreign workers in Russia,” Ambassador Sorreta said.

Ambassador Sorreta said that while he cannot yet publicly discuss the details of ongoing discussions, he would like to emphasize “the importance of stopping the flow of illegally recruited or trafficked Filipinos into Russia and the need to put an end to the exploitation of Filipinos already in Russia by individuals and agencies.”

“Until that can be done, achieving a long term solution to the status of Filipinos in Russia will be extremely difficult, given existing Russian laws and regulations,” the Ambassador added. “But rest assured that we will exert every effort towards this end,” he said.

In the meantime, the Philippine Embassy will continue to assist Filipinos who are ordered deported or who wish to be repatriated.

“We will provide every assistance to Filipinos facing deportation or who wish to be repatriated.  If needed, they can stay at our shelter while their papers are being processed,” Ambassador Sorreta said.  END

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.