RP, Russia to unite vs terror

President Arroyo and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov agreed yesterday to cooperate in the fight against global terrorism by strengthening all aspects of Philippine-Russian bilateral partnership, especially in economic cooperation.

Ivanov, who flew in for an overnight visit to discuss a wide range of issues including regional security and enhanced trade relations, made a courtesy call on Mrs. Arroyo at Malacañang after holding talks with his counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople.

Ivanov told the President that Russia believes in forging solidarity with concerned countries in the struggle against terrorism.

He, however, held the view that any international action on terrorism must be within the framework of the United Nations charter.

Ivanov noted the Arroyo administration’s sincerity and support to the Russian government and people at the height of the terrorist attack in Moscow.

For her part, Mrs. Arroyo conveyed to Ivanov the government’s invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the Philippines, saying that now is the most opportune time to put emphasis on the two countries’ bilateral relations.

The two agreed to put up a panel that would take up joint efforts on how to fight international terrorism.

At the luncheon hosted by Ople for the visiting Russian official and his 12-man official party, which includes Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, Ivanov said that his country is willing to have closer coordination through the exchange of information with the Philippines to thwart terrorism.

He praised Manila’s efforts to eradicate Muslim extremists linked to the al-Qaeda network and welcomed a Philippine proposal for Russia to co-sponsor a Christian-Muslim dialogue in the Philippines.

Ople welcomed Ivanov’s viewpoint that a political solution should be exhausted before the use of force is considered.

He disclosed that they also talked about enhancing trade relations and the Russian foreign minister promised to talk to the Russian economic ministry for the reactivation of the dormant RP-Russian Joint Economic Commission.

According to foreign affairs official Jaime Yambao, the trade exchange between Russia and the Philippines at present is considerably in Russia’s favor. Total trade between the countries last year reached US$241 million, with Russia exporting US$227 million, mostly in iron and alloy steel products.

Yambao added Ople and Ivanov pledged to boost two-way trade and explore the possibility of the Philippines buying oil from Russia in case of an emergency such as a possible US attack on Iraq.

The Philippines buys most of its oil from the Middle East and has been trying to look for alternative sources.

Ivanov assured the Philippines of an alternate and long-term oil supply from Russia whether or not war breaks out in the Middle East and pledged to send a delegation to Manila to study the possibility.

Among the other commitments made by the Russian dignitary is its promise to carefully study the country’s request for support in its bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nation’s Security Council for 2004-2005.

Ivanov is due to fly to Japan today where he will prepare the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 9 and 10 next year.

His last official engagement in the country was a visit to the Rizal monument at the Luneta to honor national hero Jose Rizal.

Ivanov will also proceed to the United States, where he is set to hold wide-ranging talks on Iraq, the Middle East and North Korea with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, according to the Itar-Tass news agency.

The two foreign ministers would notably discuss the report that Iraq handed over to the United Nations a thick volume detailing its weapons programs.

The talks would take place on Dec. 20 on the sidelines of a meeting of the diplomatic "quartet," which comprises officials from the United Nations, the European Union, the US and Russia.