President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Kazan to participate in the ASEAN- Russia Commemorative Summit which started on Wednesday.

“It will be my first time on Russian soil—a journey I undertake nearly 50 years after my father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., made his own historic visit to the then-Soviet Union in 1976, which culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” he said.

Marcos who arrived in Russia at 12:53 pm (Philippine team) is set to have a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation around 9 pm of the same day.

He said that "this year, the Philippines and Russia commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations".

“For over five decades, our bilateral ties have steadily deepened across trade, education, culture, agriculture, energy, science, and, above all, through the sustained bonds between our peoples. We look forward to building on these foundations and opening new avenues of cooperation for the future,” he said.

Marcos said the diplomatic relations between Russia and Philippines were formally established in 1976.

"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,” the President stressed.

“We travel to Kazan with purpose, and we return with renewed commitment to our partnership," he added.

Marcos said as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he looks forward to joining fellow leaders at the commemorative summit as they mark the 35 years of partnership and cooperation with Russia.

“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,” he added.

“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,” he added. Robina Asido/PHS