JAKARTA, Indonesia —President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hailed Canada, whom he tagged as ASEAN’s “natural ally,” for its position in selling security and safety within the Indo-Pacific Region.
“We certainly welcome the initiatives under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, such as training on smart border patrols, addressing crime and terrorism, and military-to-military capacity building, to name but a few,” Marcos mentioned on the ASEAN-Canada Summit.
“We recognize Canada’s role in promoting maritime security and safety in the region. We welcome Canada’s continued engagement through capacity-building programs, specialized and skill-based training to counter traditional and emerging threats,” he added.
Marcos made the assertion as he additionally welcomed “a new era in ASEAN-Canada relations” as ASEAN leaders are scheduled to undertake the Joint Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership.
“This is indeed timely as Canada deepens its relations with ASEAN with the launch of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy last November. To further expand mutual trade, we should continue efforts at enhancing ASEAN connectivity and supply chains,” Marcos mentioned.
Marcos defined that the technique seeks to advertise peace, resilience, and safety; increase commerce, funding, and provide chain resilience; put money into and join individuals; construct a sustainable and inexperienced future within the Indo-Pacific area with ASEAN at its core.
“This further demonstrates: ASEAN and Canada are undoubtedly natural allies, with shared values and mutual interests across all the pillars of the ASEAN Community. It is clear that the growing and deepening strategic partnership of ASEAN and Canada will further advance peace, security, stability, resilience, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” he mentioned.
Before the ASEAN-Canada Summit, Marcos and Trudeau had a bilateral assembly the place the Canadian prime minister invited the Philippine high chief to their nation in 2024.
Both leaders talked in regards to the Filipino-Canadian diaspora and what Trudeau tagged as “incredible ties” of the 2 international locations.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
