MANILA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and Russia have started collaborative efforts for a set of bilateral agreements, including one combating transnational crimes and cross-border terrorism, as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affaires (DFA) said in a statement issued on Monday.

    Apart from security agreements, "the Philippines and Russia are progressing in talks to ease entry procedures for officials to visit each other," the DFA said.

    The DFA also said that as a tourism cooperation agreement and a cultural cooperation protocol had been signed separately, the two countries were working on an agreement in the energy and education sectors.

    Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the Philippines, which will head the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations this year, was expected to improve relations between ASEANa nd Russia.

    Romulo also hopes that the standing invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the Philippines will be accepted as no Russian head of state has ever visited the country.

    The Philippines established diplomatic relation with Russia in 1976. Enditem