Putin to pay back visit

We’ll do our best to arrange this visit as soon as possible.

Popular leaders Rodrigo Duterte and Vladimir Putin are expected to resume their “bromance” soon in Manila. AFP

The Russian government is working on the visit, as soon as possible, of President Vladimir Putin to the Philippines, a first for the fiery leader who President Rodrigo Duterte once called his idol and “favorite hero.”

Putin accepted an invitation of Mr. Duterte when he visited early this month, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said yesterday.

“We’ll do our best to arrange this visit as soon as possible. It’s a dream of mine as ambassador to welcome President Putin here,” Khovaev told a forum but he said he cannot disclose details of the impending stay.

Khovaev said Mr. Duterte has officially invited Putin to visit the Philippines, which Putin accepted “with gratitude.”

“At this moment, I can only express my hope that this visit will happen the soonest. When? I don’t know, but we will do our best to arrange his visit soon,” Khovaev said.

Mr. Duterte has visited Russia twice since he assumed the presidency in June 2016. His first visit to Russia in May 2017 was cut short when Islamic State (IS)-inspired terrorists attacked Marawi City.

Khovaev added in the same event that Russia understands that the use of nuclear energy is a “very sensitive issue” in the country but he indicated that state-owned Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp would be ready to help and assist the Philippines if the policy on the nuclear energy use is firmed up.

“It’s up to you Filipinos to decide and we’ll respect any decision taken by our Filipino partners,” he said.

Rosatom had offered mobile or floating nuclear power plants to primarily serve remote areas without electricity.

Moscow is also inviting local companies to participate with Russian firms in oil and gas projects.

Khovaev said his country has a “unique offer for the Philippines.” “We are also inviting Filipinos, the Philippine companies, to explore oil and gas in Russia together with Russian companies,” Khovaev indicated.

Another state-owned firm, Rosneft Oil Company, plans to develop a cluster of oil fields in the Arctic to produce up to 100 million tons of oil.

“I would like to remind you that exploration of oil and gas in Russia is not an easy matter, it’s much more difficult than the exploration of oil and gas in, for example, the Middle East because most of Russian oil and natural gas are produced in the Arctic under harsh climate conditions,” Khovaev noted as he added Moscow has “advanced technologies” to exploit natural resources.

Moscow’s invitation for Philippine companies to explore resources in Russia is “based on mutual respect, mutual interest,” Khovaev said.

“It should be two-way…if Russian companies come to the Philippines to explore oil and gas here, then it’s quite natural for us Russians to invite Philippine [companies] to go to Russia and to cooperate with Russian companies on the (exploration) in Russian soil,” Khovaev said.

Asked how many companies Russia has invited, he said that “it’s too early to disclose details but all necessary efforts are being taken now.”

“We are working closely with the Department of Energy and some Philippine companies,” he said.

“These offers [are] now under consideration. No details yet. But these Russian offers (are) on the table,” Khovaev added.

Mr. Duterte had called Russia a priority trade and investment market for his country and praised the strengthening economic ties.

“Russia is a priority trade and investment market … I am confident (that) economic ties will continue to prosper to their full potential,” he said.

Bilateral trade almost doubled last year to $1.2 billion with a fourfold increase in Russia’s exports to the Philippines.

Mr. Duterte also invited Russians during his visit to do “more business” in the Philippines and promised them a wide range of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

“Russia’s participation is particularly welcome in the massive ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure projects,” he said.