Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Kazan, said he found it meaningful that the national days of the two countries fall on the same day.
Putin once again congratulated the Philippine people on their June 12 Independence Day. He noted that Russia also celebrates Russia Day on June 12, calling it a 'pleasant coincidence'.
The Russian leader also stated that this month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Philippines. He recalled Ferdinand Marcos's visit to Moscow in 1976 and the subsequent adoption of a joint declaration as the beginning of this process.
Putin said that this step, taken under Cold War conditions, required political will on the part of the Philippine administration. He added that a similarly measured and pragmatic approach is necessary in today's international relations.
The meeting took place during Putin's bilateral contacts as part of the Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan. It was reported that the summit, held between June 17-19, focused on the 35th anniversary and that deepening cooperation between Russia and ASEAN would be discussed at the forum.
On the same day, the Russia-ASEAN Business Forum also opened. It was stated that ASEAN was founded in 1967 and consists of Brunei, East Timor, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.