Russian foreign minister coming

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov arrives Monday on an official visit to the Philippines, to intensify the political dialogue and strengthen bilateral relations.

Cooperation with the Philippines is an important component of Russian policy in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.The relations between Russia and the Philippines are at their most cordial as the two countries have just celebrated twenty five years of diplomatic relations.

During the meetings with the leaders of the Philippines the Russian foreign minister intends to analyze the general situation in Asia-Pacific region, current trends of regional security, specific areas of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries, possible spheres of collaboration between Shanghai Organization of Cooperation and ASEAN.

Serious attention will be paid to the issues related to the fight against international terrorism, and the minister is also going to express his views on the situation concerning Iraq.

Ivanov is going to discuss matters of Russian-Philippine bilateral ties including multi-level political contacts and further development of legal basis. Important attention will be also drawn to the economic aspect of relations in order to raise it up to the level of political dialogue.

In this connection direct contacts between the Philippines and the regions of the Russian Far East and Siberia especially in the oil business could play a valuable role.

The Russian side is confident that the visit will contribute to the positive development in various fields of Russian-Philippine cooperation including science and technology.