Philippine, Russian defense officials agree on more military engagements in 2019

November 10, 2018

Philippine and Russian defense officials convened a Joint Working Group (JWG) in Moscow on Friday where both sides agreed to boost military engagements starting next year and onward.Last Friday’s defense meeting, the second since the forging last year of defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Russian Federation, saw the signing of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the JWG, a statement by the Department of National Defense (DND) said Saturday.

“The JWG serves as a platform for both counties to discuss military-to-military engagements or activities,” the DND statement said.

“Both sides agreed to conduct in 2019 high level exchanges, port visits of navy vessels, attendance in conferences/fora, general staff consultations, cooperation and security consultations, reciprocal visits of delegations and observers for military training activities, and education and training exchanges,” Andolong said.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said this month his country is willing to provide the Philippines with key military platforms in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization.

Khovaev made this remark during the welcome ceremony in November to the Philippine Navy contingent aboard the navy’s BRP Tarlac following a five-day port visit to Moscow’s Pacific Fleet in the Far East in Vladivostok. DMS