Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
The leaders highlighted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Philippines, rooted in deep people-to-people ties.
President Marcos Jr. noted that the Canada-Philippines relationship is stronger than ever, and the two leaders discussed progress in different areas of bilateral co-operation, including defence, development assistance, trade, agriculture and agri-food, education, and clean technologies. They welcomed the upcoming Team Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines, planned for December, as well as progress in negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
The leaders discussed Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine and its global impacts. Prime Minister Trudeau invited the Philippines to participate in the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimensions of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula, which Canada will co-host with Ukraine and Norway, in Canada, from October 30 to 31.
In the context of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, both leaders also expressed concern over increasing tensions in the South China Sea, noting their mutual commitment to regional security and international law. Each of them welcomed the strengthening of maritime co-operation through Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection Program.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Marcos Jr. agreed to remain in close contact and looked forward to meeting again.
Associated Links
- Canada-Philippines relations
- Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Prime Minister to participate in ASEAN Summit and the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada to host Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula
- Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy