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Russia’s Ambassador Igor Khovaev said the traditional partners of the Philippines should not politicize the enhanced defense cooperation between Moscow and Manila.
Khovaev, who began his tour of duty as Russia’s ambassador to the Philippines in April 2015, said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy helped boost ties between the two countries.
He admitted that he did not expect Russia to have closer ties with the Philippines when it arrived in Manila.
“I couldn’t imagine that two years later, our two countries would even discuss any possibility, any option of our defense cooperation,” he told The Manila Times.
“It was possible thanks to the independent foreign policy of the president [Rodrigo] Duterte … paved the way for our defense cooperation, ”Khovaev said.
He noted that bilateral ties between the two countries were high.
It is the highest level in the history of our bilateral relations. Thank you to our Presidents – Your Excellency President [Vladimir] Putin and His Excellency President Duterte “.
“This exceptionally high political level, of course, requires dedication and efforts from all of us to substantially promote our bilateral cooperation in many other fields because no country, large or small, can be isolated from the rest of the world. We all need each other and depend on each other, ”Khovaev said.
He said Russia “stands ready to be a new reliable partner and good friend to the Philippines without inflicting any harm on its traditionally close ties with other countries.”
“But their traditional partners, I repeat, have no right to be jealous, they have no right to interfere in the Russia-Philippines relationship. They must respect the choice of the Filipinos, ”Khovaev said.
“We are ready to compete with anyone and by that I mean clearly, this cooperation must not be politicized and their traditional partners have no right to interfere in our bilateral defense cooperation,” he said.
Khovaev said that Russia is ready to promote cooperation between the two governments in many other fields in terms of security and defense, as well as joint military exercises and drills.
“So any option should be on the table. We are open and want to start supplying only advanced weapons and weapons to the Philippines. And we have very good prospects in this regard, “he said.
He said that the Russians were more efficient and not as expensive as those produced by other countries.
Bernadette E. Tamayo
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