Russia to intensify cultural, tourism cooperation with PH

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Russian Federation Ambassador to the Philippines HE Marat Pavlov expressed his country’s desire to strengthen, increase and intensify cooperation chances with the Philippines, especially along the cultural and tourism sectors. 

“There are some entrepreneurs from Cebu that I met with governor Gwen Garcia and mayor Michael Rama and all of them express their desire to increase our cooperation chances between both countries,” Pavlov said in a greet and meet event Friday, April 1 with Russian Federation Honorary Consul, Armi Lopez Garcia and some members of media.

Amb. Pavlov cited the Philippines’ position on the ongoing war crisis between Russia and Ukraine saying that PH leadership has been very balance and neutral and continues to keep the good relations and mutual interests of both countries.

He said he met with Cebu mayor Michael Rama and one of the possible projects with the City is to continue with the vaccination cooperation with more supply shipment of its vaccine for the local population.

“We would like to restore peace and strengthen our cooperation with both Cebu City and Province through cultural and tourism programs. We want to intensify our tourism cooperation with Cebu, to ease some bureaucratic problems for Russians to come here and open your doors to foreign tourists regardless of vaccination situation,” Pavlov said.

For one, both countries can organize these tourism prospects and exchanges for a more vibrant cultural cooperation and people to people connectivity.  One of the proposals discussed with Cebu Province/City is to facilitate direct flights between Cebu and Moscow, a direct opportunity for incoming Russian tourists, the Ambassador said.

Pavlov went on that another cooperation is to exchange and share best practices and partnerships between the two countries in terms of environment/energy development and management such as on energy nuclear field cooperation, sun and solar projects and to create “Smart City” in Cebu.

He cited that 10 years ago there was an agreement proposal for both countries to pursue the Bataan Nuclear Plant and feasibility studies for small nuclear projects in the country.  Increase PH-Russia cooperation in agriculture and education exchanges are also being pursued.

For more cooperation in the future, Pavlov said he would ask governor Garcia to pursue more creative projects such as creating a Russian Village here as a point of reference for Russian nationals to meet and to pursue education cooperation and exchanges as he noted that Cebu has many universities, “this could be very interesting for both countries,” he added.

“Our position is very clear. We want to continue all our relationship, cooperation and partnerships with the Philippines and to all PH officials who are willing to do business with us,” Pavlov concluded.