(LIMA, PERU) President Rodrigo Duterte met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Lima, Peru. During the meeting, President Duterte expressed his pleasure of meeting President Putin and his respect for the latter’s leadership.
President Putin congratulated President Duterte for winning the May 9, 2016 elections and likewise expressed his pleasure at meeting him.
President Putin noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines- Russia diplomatic relations, and acknowledged the many accomplishments that have promoted trust and confidence between the two countries.
Both leaders discussed the various ways to further develop comprehensive bilateral cooperation in areas, such as economic, security and defense, cultural and people-to-people exchange, among others. They likewise agreed to sustain the high-level meetings and consultations that would enhance the mutually beneficial relations.
Present during the meeting were members of President Duterte’s Cabinet including Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go.
President Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials of the Russian government. PND