08 June 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos D. Sorreta presented his credentials on June 03, as non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Belarus, to Deputy Foreign Minister (DFM) Valentin Rybakov in Minsk.
DFM Rybakov told Ambassador Sorreta that the “Belarusian government considers the Philippines an important partner in the Asia Pacific region.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment diplomatic ties between the two countries, but “we are yet far from realizing the full potential of our relations”, DFM Rybakov said Belarus is interested in building the legal basis for bilateral cooperation through the conclusion of agreements on political consultations; defense and security cooperation, including disaster response and management; trade and investment promotion, visa facilitation; and science and education cooperation.
DFM Rybakov likewise emphasized the importance of people-to-people and inter-parliamentary exchanges as a means to bolster ties.
Ambassador Sorreta thanked DFM Rybakov for the extensive discussion on opportunities for cooperation, which “demonstrates Belarus’ strong determination to move the relations forward”. He emphasized that the Philippines is keen on deepening ties with Belarus in all areas and is in fact planning to appoint an Honorary Consul in Minsk.
“We need to diversify our trade and investment partners to sustain our impressive economic growth over the past six years, and Belarus’ membership in the newly established Eurasian Economic Union – a market of more than 170 million people – makes it an attractive economic partner for the Philippines,” Ambassador Sorreta highlighted.
Ambassador Sorreta is set to meet with officials from the Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry to solicit recommendations on possible candidates for the post and discuss ways to foster PH-Belarus trade relations.
On defense cooperation, the Philippines welcomes suppliers from non-traditional partners that can offer defense technologies at the best price. Companies from Belarus’ advanced military-industrial complex may thus participate in the country’s ongoing military modernization program.
Ambassador Sorreta likewise welcomed DFM Rybakov’s proposal to develop linkages between the emergency response agencies of the two countries to exchange expertise on CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) defense matters.
On inter-parliamentary ties, Ambassador Sorreta noted that Philippine and Belarusian legislators maintain regular contact at the bilateral and multilateral levels. Last April for instance, Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao of the House of Representatives met with Hon. Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus, at the side-lines of “the First Meeting Speakers of Parliaments of the Countries of Eurasia” which was held in Moscow.
Ambassador Sorreta and DFM Rybakov discussed the possibility of an exchange of visits at the Foreign Minister level this year and agreed to fast track work on pending bilateral agreements. END
