Vladimir Putin’s Full Translated Speech
“Mr. President, dear friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you in Russia, in Kazan.
As far as I know, this is your first visit to Russia. This year, your country chairs in the ASEAN, and we are happy that during your chairmanship in the ASEAN, we’ll celebrate the 30th anniversary of our relationship with the Association. The commemorative summit is a landmark in the development of the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership.
Together tomorrow, we’ll co-chair a plenary of the summit and present our deliverables to mass media. But first of all, I would like once again to congratulate you, distinguished Mr. President, and all the people of the Philippines on the Independence Day on the 12th of June.
Symbolically, we in Russia also celebrate our national holiday, the Day of Russia, on the same date, the 12th of June. This is a happy coincidence. On top of that, this month, diplomatic relations with the Philippines mark their 50th anniversary.
And in this regard, we have just had a small talk with you, and we all remember the visit by your father Ferdinand Marcos to Moscow in 1976. Upon this visit, a joint communique on the establishment of interstate relations was adopted. It is noteworthy that then, amid the Cold War, it required the political will from the Philippine leadership. Such a well-balanced and pragmatic approach to international affairs is, of course, of high demand today.
Apparently, we are approaching the present threshold with an immense capital of mutually beneficial cooperation underpinned by good traditions of mutual respect and respect for legitimate interests of each other. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $1.5 billion. Of course, this is far from the limit, and of course, there is a good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources.
Effective mechanisms of applied cooperation are in place. This includes the Joint Russia-Philippine Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Today we have a good opportunity, Mr. President, to evaluate the current state of the Russia-Philippine cooperation. Once again, welcome.”
