16 May 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to Russia Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta told a media roundtable on May 13 that Russia, as a world power, can help strengthen the peace and security of the ASEAN region by supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes under international law.

Referring to the West Philippine Sea issue, Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta told a gathering of journalists from major Russian news agencies that “Russia can be an influence for peace in the Asia Pacific given its long tradition of and commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and international law.”

Broad support for peace and stability in the regionis important “in order to maintain ASEAN’s dynamism and phenomenal growth,” Ambassador Sorreta said. He explained that “ASEAN has seen Russia’s efforts in the UN and other parts of the world as an advocate of peace, stability and the rule of law” and welcomes Russia’s interest to be more active contributing to peace and stability in the ASEAN region.

In terms of bilateral relations, Ambassador Sorreta underscored that the Philippines is determined to enhance cooperation with Russia not only in the area of security but also in the economic field. “We need to expand the frontiers of our friendship, we want to trade with everyone. And in the universe of everyone, Russia is a big player,” Ambassador Sorreta added.

The roundtable discussion was organized to increase awareness about the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit to be held in Sochi on May 19 to 20. This historic meeting celebrates twenty years of ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership.

Also in the panel were H.E. Alexander Ivanov, Russia’s Ambassador-at-large for Asia Pacific Affairs; Dr. Victor Sumsky, Director of the ASEAN Centre in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO); Dr. Evgeny Kanaev, Professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics; and Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova, Deputy Dean of the School of Political Affairs and Associate Professor at the Department of Asian and African Studies of MGIMO University.

Tass is the largest Russian news agency, and the fourth largest in the world after Reuters, the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP). It has 70 offices in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as 68 bureaus around the world. END.