DFA Office of Consular Affairs holds 1st Philippines-Russia consular consultations

The Department of Foreign Affairs' Office of Consular Affairs conducted the 1st Philippines–Russia Consular Consultations on June 29 at the Office of Consular Affairs Building at the ASEANA Business Park in Parañaque City.

DFA-OCA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor B. Ledda met with Deputy Director Alexander Prosvirkin and Consular Division Head Vasily Pronin of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Russian Federation's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian delegation was also accompanied by officials from the Russian Embassy in Manila led by Chargé d'Affaires Artem Kudoyarov.

Also part of the Philippine delegation were DFA officials representing the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration, the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs, the Office of European Affairs, the Office of Protocol, the Office of Intelligence and Security, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow, and the Philippine National Police.

The Consular Consultation Meeting discussed matters pertaining to consular relations between the Philippines and the Russian Federation. The participants to the Meeting exchanged views on best practices on consular matters and explored new initiatives that would further enhance Philippine-Russian bilateral relations.

At the Meeting, it was noted that Russians registered the highest growth for visitors from a European country to the Philippines. Other topics discussed were the general conditions of Russian and Filipino nationals in their host countries, with the Russian delegation stating that Filipinos in Russia are generally law-abiding and that they have not experienced any major problems with Filipinos living and working in Russia.

The Meeting also discussed matters on consular notification, visa issues, and the appointment of Russian Honorary Consuls in other parts of the Philippines to assist the growing number of Russian tourists visiting the country.

After the meeting, Assistant Secretary Ledda hosted a luncheon for the Russian delegation at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City.

For the Philippines and Russia, this is the very first time that a Consular Consultation meeting was held between officials of both countries. The Meeting ended successfully with both sides committing to the holding of regular Consular Consultations in the future to further enhance bilateral relations.

At the close of the meeting, Assistant Secretary Ledda expressed his appreciation for the Russian initiative to hold Consular Consultation with the Philippines.

"This First Consular Consultation between the Philippines and Russia is another milestone in our bilateral relations as it marks a new chapter in the evolving dynamic relationship of our two countries. This is a positive indication of the progressive direction that we wish to pursue and we look forward to continuing our engagement with Russia on consular matters of mutual interest," Assistant Secretary Ledda said.

The Philippines and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1976. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed mutually beneficial relations. Recent years have seen an increasing level of engagement and cooperation between the Philippines and Russia. In 2011, the Philippines and Russia celebrated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which culminated in the Ministerial Meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. - Official Gazette — ARA