But
presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that while no deals are expected
to be signed between the two countries just yet, Duterte’s visit will focus in
strengthening ties with Russia, particularly socio-economic ties.
“I don’t
know if there’s much to be expected in terms of signing or anything like that.
Basically, I think it will be just the President broadening his horizons, his
international relations,” Abella said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
Abella
said that the areas of cooperation that the Philippine government is looking
into entering with Russia include economics and maybe people-to-people
exchange. “I suppose part of that is economics and maybe people-to-people
exchange. That’s as much as I can say,” he said.