Drilon: Russia backs peaceful settlement of West Philippine Sea dispute

Senator Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO

RUSSIA is “supportive of peaceful settlement” on the issue of the West Philippine Sea “in accordance with international law,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said after top officials of the two countries met in Moscow on Tuesday.

Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, Drilon said he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks that covered a wide range of issues, including recent developments in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

He said they touched on the issue of the West Philippine Sea and noted that Russia was “neutral” on the issue of claims “but supportive of peaceful settlement in accordance with international law.”

Drilon said he told Lagrov that “both countries can still work together to strengthen regional peace and stability.”

“Russia also wants a peaceful solution to the West Philippine Sea issue and that it particularly supports the conclusion of a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea,” the Senate leader quoted the Russian Foreign Minister as saying.

Referring to bilateral relations, the Senate leader said: “Our efforts at the regional level should be complemented by our work at the bilateral level. This is why the Philippine is keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts.”

“I believe we need not be held back by history and traditional alliances. Pragmatism and imagination should guide us instead,” Drilon added to which Lagrov said, “We are in total agreement and keen on moving forward with our bilateral relations.”

Drilon is in Russia on the invitation of Mme. Valentina I. Metvienko, chairperson of the Federal Council, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. He will also deliver a speech at the Plenary Session of the Federal Council on October 21, 2015. He will be the first Filipino statesman to address the Russian Parliament.

The Senate leader also handed to Lavrov the letter of President Benigno Aquino III to President Vladimir Putin inviting the latter to attend the 23 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila next month. He said Putin will be warmly welcomed in the Philippines.

On behalf of Putin, Lagrov expressed deep appreciation for the invitation and said the Russian leader was looking forward to visiting Manila next month.

During their discussion, Drilon said he also emphasized the keen interest of the Philippine government in global peace and stability.

“We are particularly interested in Russia’s foreign policy responses to crisis situations because of the presence of many Filipinos in affected areas. As a former Labor Minister, this was a matter that I had dealt with directly. Peace and stability in conflict areas is crucial for all of us,” he told the Russian Foreign Minister.

Lavrov said he fully understood the position of the Philippines and then briefed the Senate President on Russian policies and actions in the Middle East.

“We want peace and stability in the Middle East and will work hard to achieve this. We are also very open to working with everybody on this,” the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Drilon, meanwhile, attributed the record growth of the Philippine economy to the “sound governance and the hard work and commitment of the Filipino people.”

“And that it is our hope that the region remains stable for the sake of all our continued economic growth,” he said, adding that “new and old sources of tensions and potential conflicts deeply concern us.”