Philippines, Russia to conclude framework agreement on defense

MANILA -- The Philippines is ready to conclude a framework agreement on defense and security with Russia when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visits Moscow this month, a government statement said on Wednesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana met with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu on April 26 on the sidelines of the VI Moscow Conference on International Security.

"It was the first ever meeting between the two defense officials," the statement read.

According to the statement, both Lorenzana and Shoygu welcomed the positive developments in the bilateral relations and agreed to further bolster cooperation in the defense and security sphere.

The upcoming official visit of Duterte to Russia this month is expected to generate more momentum for the development of Philippines-Russia relations, it said.