Shevardnadze, on First Visit to Manila, Stresses Ties
Eduard A. Shevardnadze, making the first visit by a Soviet foreign minister to the Philippines, said Wednesday that he wants to build on a positive new trend in Moscow’s relations with Manila.
His Philippine counterpart, Raul Manglapus, told reporters that Manila hopes to develop trade and economic links with Moscow and that the two will discuss fishing rights and possible industrial joint ventures.
He said he will probably brief Shevardnadze on the future of U.S. military bases in the Philippines after a new compensation agreement was reached with Washington in October.
Shevardnadze, trying to strengthen Moscow’s links in Asia, is paying a 24-hour visit to Manila, Washington’s closest ally in the region.
He is the highest-ranking Soviet minister to visit the Philippines since it established diplomatic relations with Moscow in 1976. “I think that speaks for itself,” Shevardnadze told reporters at Manila airport.
The Soviet foreign minister is to meet President Corazon Aquino today.
“We have a great deal to say to each other on the prospects of our bilateral relations, on the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and on the current state of international affairs,” Shevardnadze said.
Manglapus said the Philippines is eager to develop economic and trade links with the Soviet Union.
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