Russian envoy pays farewell call on Locsin

FAREWELL CALL. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev touch elbows as the Russian envoy paid a farewell call on Locsin at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday (Oct. 5, 2020). Khovaev ended this month his five-year tour of duty in the Philippines as Russia’s top diplomat. (Photo by DFA-OSCR Nilo K. Palaya via PNA)

MANILA – Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev paid a farewell call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. on Monday at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Locsin expressed his appreciation to Khovaev for his contribution to the enhancement of Philippines-Russia relations.

During Khovaev’s tenure, the Philippines witnessed a reinvigoration of bilateral relations with Russia as the Philippines sought to deepen ties with non-traditional partners.

Along with increasing bilateral engagements and people-to-people ties, several agreements were signed between the Philippines and Russia in the areas of trade and economy, science and technology, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, space sciences, nuclear medicine, basic research, legal and judicial cooperation, defense cooperation and culture.

Joining the call were Mesdames Maria Ilina and Maria Lourdes B. Locsin. Madame Locsin thanked Madame Ilina for her active involvement in various social and charitable activities and diplomats’ spouses’ initiatives.

Madame Ilina expressed her appreciation for the warmth and hospitality accorded to them during their stay and the generous support they received for the activities initiated by the Russian Embassy.

Khovaev ends this month his five-year tour of duty in the Philippines as Russia’s top diplomat.