MOSCOW -- Three companies from the Philippines were allowed to export tuna, sardines and other fisheries to Russia, after officials from the 2 countries discussed agriculture cooperation here for the first time, Manila's envoy said.

Bigfish Foods, Century Pacific Food and RDEX Food International passed all inspections and met requirements of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, said Philippine Ambassador Carlos Sorreta.

The first Philippines-Russia Joint Working Group Meeting on Agricultural Cooperation was held in the Russian capital on Dec. 5.

"Medyo masalimuot din para ma-qualify ang isang produkto para makapasok sa market at nagawa na natin lahat ‘yan," Sorreta said.

(It's quite difficult for a product to qualify and enter this market but we achieved that.)

"Hindi lang tuna, pati sardines and other fisheries products, pwede na natin i-export sa Russia at pumasa tayo sa lahat ng inspections, sa lahat ng mga technical requirement," Sorreta said.

(Not just tuna and sardines, we can export other fisheries products to Russia and we passed all inspections and met technical requirements.)

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The meeting between Filipino and Russian officials here was an offshoot of President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to Moscow in 2017, said Agriculture Undersecretary Waldo Carpio.

Russian Congresswoman Shastina Vera said the fisheries exports showed growing friendship between the Philippines and Russia.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow also hosted a food-tasting, where guests were served adobo, bistek, pancit palabok, lumpia, barbecue and palitaw.