📹 Video address by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Philippines (Moscow, June 2, 2026)

💬 I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to representatives of government bodies, political and business circles, and the broader public in Russia and the Philippines on a milestone date – the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Our ties go back centuries. The first Russian consulate was established in Manila as early as 1817.

It is symbolic that a new chapter in our relations opened on June 2, 1976, thanks to the political will of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. His son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., currently heads the Philippine State.

Over the past 50 years, we gained considerable experience of constructive cooperation between our countries and effective bilateral working mechanisms have been created. A robust contractual and legal framework has been put in place as well.

☝️ Russia-Philippines relations rely on the principles of equality, pragmatism, and mutual consideration of interests. The affinity between our peoples is further enhanced by mutual commitment to enduring spiritual and moral values.

Importantly, despite the current international situation, our nations are clearly interested in maintaining political dialogue and expanding practical cooperation, including in promising areas such as energy, IT, agriculture, and tourism.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that Russia has been and remains a reliable supplier of energy and food to all countries of Southeast Asia.

Parliamentary ties, including at the level of friendship groups, are getting stronger. Our respective Foreign Ministries maintain regular contacts and interregional cooperation is making wide strides. Humanitarian and tourist exchanges are expanding.

We stand ready to continue coordinating our efforts at the UN and other venues in the interest of building a more just multipolar world order and effectively addressing the numerous challenges of our time on a universally recognised international legal basis, above all the UN Charter.

In June, a Summit dedicated to the 35th anniversary of #RussiaASEAN relations will be held in Kazan. The Philippines, a founding member of the Association, is currently holding ASEAN chairmanship. Russia is interested in further deepening strategic partnership with ASEAN, including in the interest of building architecture of equal and indivisible security and broad cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and, more broadly, across our shared Eurasian continent.

Friends,

🇷🇺🇵🇭 The anniversary of Russian-Philippine relations is more than just an occasion to take stock of our achievements and hold ceremonial events, but also provides an opportunity to outline future objectives.

I am convinced that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand and deepen for the benefit of our nations.

Once again, congratulations everyone.

Mabuhay!

#RussiaPhilippines