Lumipad patungong Kazan, Russia si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Martes ng gabi para pangunahan ang partisipasyon ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit at makipagpulong kay Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Umalis ang eroplanong lulan ni Marcos at ng kanyang delegasyon mula Villamor Airbase sa Pasay City makalipas ang alas-11:55 ng gabi.
Tampok sa biyahe ang bilateral talks ni Marcos at Putin, na tututok sa energy at food security habang patuloy ang pangamba sa presyo at suplay ng enerhiya sa gitna ng geopolitical tensions.
Sa departure statement, sinabi ni Marcos na minamarkahan ng summit ang ika-35 anibersaryo ng ASEAN-Russia relations. Ito rin ang unang pagbisita niya sa Russia at kasabay ng paggunita ng Manila at Moscow sa 50 taon ng diplomatic relations, na pormal na itinatag noong June 2, 1976.
“As Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that this Commemorative Summit produces substantive and forward-looking outcomes that deepen ASEAN’s Strategic Partnership with Russia and contribute, in concrete terms, to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” sabi ni Marcos.
Inaasahang tatalakayin sa summit ang peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, at people-to-people exchanges.
“Beyond marking our golden anniversary of diplomatic relations, which were formally established on June 2, 1976, our discussions will focus on concrete areas of mutual interest, particularly energy and food security,” sabi ng Pangulo sa bilateral talks kay Putin.
Muling iginiit ni Marcos ang commitment ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN centrality at regional cooperation.
“Guided by our ASEAN Chairship theme, ‘Navigating Our Future, Together,’ the Philippines will continue to champion ASEAN unity, centrality, and solidarity, and promote an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture anchored in international law,” sabi niya.
Sa social media post, sinabi ni First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos na maikli pero mahalaga ang biyahe. Nasa 38 oras lamang ang Pangulo sa Russia kahit aabot sa 26 oras ang kabuuang flight time.
“Every hour matters when the conversations revolve around issues that affect everyday life for Filipino families — from food and energy security to fuel prices,” sabi niya.
Gaganapin ang summit sa June 17 at 18 sa Kazan, kung saan inaasahang mag-a-adopt ang ASEAN leaders at si Putin ng key documents para sa susunod na larangan ng kooperasyon ng regional bloc at Russia. /Bistado