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Cebu celebrates Russia Day

3:52 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

CEBU is set to celebrate the National Day of Russia on June 14, 2012 amid a series of milestones that strengthen the relationship between the Russian Federation and the Philippines highlighted by the September visit of President Benigno Aquino III during the APEC Summit in Vladivostok.

“I am happy to note some of the examples of practical collaboration between government agencies and peoples of our countries. The donation of humanitarian goods delivered for the affected during typhoon Sendong and Negros earthquake showed goodwill of the Russian people to the Philippines,” said Russian ambassador to the Philippines Nikolay Rishatovich Kudashev.

After citing the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Philippines last year, Ambassador Kudashev noted that Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert F. del Rosario met his Russian counterpart and other Russian officials during a visit in Moscow.

“His meetings and talks highlighted the opportunities and prospects of the bilateral relations between Russia and the Philippines in trade and investments, energy, disaster relief and management,” Ambassador Kudashev said.

Honorary Russian Consul Armi Lopez Garcia said several Russian-Philippine events transpired in Cebu like the Russian Duma last December 2011 at the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa and the Russian presidential elections last March 2, 2012, at the Movenpick Resort and Spa.

Also late last year, the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly (PRBA) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Russian-Philippine Business Council (RPBC).

“The PRBA will soon sign more active patnerships with the different business organizations all over the Russian Federation especially from the far eastern side or from the Primosky Region,” Garcia said.

On the other hand, Garcia revealed that just last May 18, 2012, Fr. Dionisio Miranda of the University of San Carlos signed the formal acceptance of a donation of books and other educational materials from the Russky Mir Foundation.

“These materials will be used as reference for the Russian language course which will soon be offered at the university,” Consul Garcia said.

Shortly after Russia Day, the Philippines will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy Forum on June 29-30, 2012. The Department of Tourism will participate in the APEC Ministers Meeting on Tourism on July 27, 2012, Garcia said.

According to Garcia, during the APEC Summit this September 2-9, 2012, the Philippines is assisting Russia in manpower services especially to fill necessary vacancies in hotels.

“This cooperation will usher the renewal of the sisterhood ties between Vladivostok and the City of Cebu which was established way back in 1996,” she said.