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August 03, 2007

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Russian Federation, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

guided by the mutual desire to develop friendly relations between the two States,

assuming that the most favorable condition for mutual visits of the nationals of the Republic of the Philippines and the Russian Federation holding valid diplomatic and service (official) passports will contribute to the achievement of this goal,

have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

1. Nationals of the State of either Party holding valid diplomatic or service (official) passports shall be entitled to enter, leave, transit through, and continuously stay in the territory of the State of the other Party for up to 90 days without a visa.

2. Nationals of the State of one Party referred to in Paragraph 1 of this Article may cross the border of the State of the other Party only through its border checkpoints open for international traffic in accordance with the legislation of the State of each Party.

ARTICLE 2

1. Nationals of the State of either Party holding valid diplomatic or service (official) passports appointed to a diplomatic mission or a consular office or a mission of their States to an international organization, located in the territory of the State of the other Party, shall be exempted from the requirement of obtaining visas for entry into the territory of the State of the other Party. Upon entry into the territory of the State of the other Party they shall be subject to accreditation within a period of 14 days on request from the relevant diplomatic mission and in accordance with the domestic legislation of the State of the Receiving Party. Such persons shall be issued multiple-entry visas for the period of their accreditation.

2. The rules governing entry, exit and stay, specified in this Article shall also apply to spouse of the persons, referred to in this Article, and also the their minor children incapacitated children of lawful age and dependent parents, who reside with them and hold valid diplomatic or service (official) passports or, in case of minor children, are included in the diplomatic or service (official) passport of their father or mother.

ARTICLE 3

1. If nationals of the State of either Party holding valid diplomatic or service (official) passports are engaged in the implementation of bilateral interstate and intergovernmental cooperation projects and under the project terms have to stay in the territory of the State of the other Party for a period exceeding 90 days, the diplomatic missions or consular offices of the State of the Receiving Party, upon the decision of the competent authorities, shall issue them multiple-entry diplomatic or service (official) visas valid until the completion of the project, but for a period not exceeding 5 years. In that case, nationals of the State of one Party may stay in the territory of the State of the other Party for the duration of such visas.

2. In case the duration of the project is extended after the entry of persons mentioned in Paragraph I of this Article to the territory of the State of the other Party the initially issued visas can be extended upon their expiry by the competent authorities of the State of the Receiving Party in the territory of that State by granting multiple-entry visas valid up to 1 year.

3. The rules governing entry, exit and stay, specified in this Article shall also apply to spouse of the persons, referred to in this Article, and also their minor children, incapacitated children of lawful age and dependent parents, who reside with them and hold valid diplomatic or service (official) passports or, in case of minor children, are included in the diplomatic or service (official) passport of their father or mother.

ARTICLE 4

Each Party shall reserve the right to refuse entry into the territory of its State or suspend the stay therein of any national of the State of the other Party referred to in Article I of this Agreement whom it may consider persona non grata.

ARTICLE 5

1. In case of loss or damage of a diplomatic or service (official) passport in the territory of the State of one Party the national of the State of the other Party holding it shall promptly notify thereof the competent authorities of the State of the Receiving Party through a diplomatic mission or consular office of the State of his/her nationality.

2. The diplomatic mission or consular office of the State of nationality of the holder of a lost or damaged diplomatic or service (official) passport shall issue a new diplomatic or service (official) passport or a temporary document proving his/her identity and giving the right to entry (return) to the State of nationality and shall notify thereof the competent authorities of the State of the Receiving Party. One may exit with newly issued document without obtaining a visa or other permission from the competent authorities of the State of the Receiving Party.

ARTICLE 6

Nationals of the State of one Party covered by this Agreement who are unable to leave the territory of the State of the other Party within the authorized period of their stay due to unforeseen reasons (illness, natural disaster, etc.), may be entitled to extend, without charging visa fees, the validity period of their visas or permissions to stay in the territory of the State of the Receiving Party in accordance with its domestic legislation for a period necessary for them to return to the State of their nationality and provided further that the reasons are corroborated with documents.

ARTICLE 7

Nationals of the State of one Party holding valid diplomatic or service (official) passports shall respect and observe the existing laws and regulations of the State of the Receiving Party upon entry into and during the entire period of stay in its territory.

ARTICLE 8

1. For purposes of this Agreement before its entry into force the competent authorities of the States of the Parties shall exchange through diplomatic channels specimens of their diplomatic and service (official) passports, not later than 30 days after its signing.

2. Competent authorities of the States of the Parties shall inform each other of any changes concerning diplomatic or service (official) passports not later than 30 days before their introduction and simultaneously send specimens of new diplomatic or service (official) passports.

ARTICLE 9

1. For reasons of public order, national security or public health, each Party shall have the right to suspend this Agreement, either in whole or in part. The decision on such suspension shall be communicated to the other Party through diplomatic channels in writing not later than 72 hours prior to its enforcement.

2. The suspending Party shall promptly notify the other Party through diplomatic channels that such suspension is canceled.

3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not affect the right of the other Party to suspend this Agreement in whole or in part during the period of its suspension by the other Party.

ARTICLE 10

Any disagreements or disputes between the Parties arising out of the interpretation and implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by mutual consultations and negotiations.

ARTICLE 11

The provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under other international treaties to which the Republic of the Philippines and the Russian Federation are parties.

ARTICLE 12

1. This Agreement shall be of indefinite duration and shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the last written notification of the completion by the Parties of their domestic procedures necessary for its entry into force.

2. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by notifying the other Party in writing through diplomatic channels. This Agreement shall be terminated upon the expiry of 60 days from the date of receipt of such a notification by the other Party.

Done at Manila on the 3rd day of August 2007 in two originals, each in English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall be used.

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines

For the Government of the Russian Federation

(Sgd.) ALBERTO P. ROMULO	(Sgd.) SERGEY V. LAVROV
Secretary of Foreign Affairs	Minister of Foreign Affairs