President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will hold a bilateral meeting during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Russia Commemorative Summit this week.

Assistant Foreign Affairs Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said Marcos in his capacity as ASEAN Chair will co-chair the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit together with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation in Kazan from June 17 to 18.

"On the margins of the summit, the President will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Putin. The discussions will center on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia. The meeting will likewise provide an opportunity to explore ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest particularly energy security and food security," he said.

"They will also discuss among others some very important regional international issues that both would consider important for the relationship. And, again, I would go back to the impact of the Middle East on energy security and food security so I think that would be the highlight of this meeting," he added.

Imperial noted that other cooperation such as people-to-people, tourism, education, cultural, science and technology will also be discussed or will play a part in the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.

The summit which holds particular significance for the Philippines will bring together the leaders of ASEAN and Russia to commemorate 35 years of dialogue relations

"It will mark President Marcos’ first visit to the Russian Federation as president. Set in the midst of the 50 years of diplomatic relations this year between the Philippines and Russia," Imperial said.

"During the summit, ASEAN leaders and President Putin are expected to review the progress of ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual trust particularly on biosafety and biosecurity, outer space and satellite applications, energy and food security, science and technology, trade and investment, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges," he said.

Imperial stressed that the summit is likewise expected to adopt several key outcome documents which include "the Kazan Declaration 2026 which will articulate the shared vision of ASEAN and Russia as we commemorate 35 years of partnership as well as joint statements on energy and on cultural cooperation."

"The leaders are also expected to adopt the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action 2026-2030 which will serve as the principal roadmap for advancing cooperation across the political security, economic and sociocultural pillars of the partnership," he added. Robina Asido/PHS