Canada and the Philippines Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership
The Office of the Prime Minister of Canada issued a joint statement saying that Canada and the Philippines agreed on Thursday, July 2, to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, deepening cooperation in defense, trade, and regional security.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that this partnership comes at a "critical juncture" as global alliances face challenges. He added that Canada is strengthening its ties with Southeast Asia and has made progress toward concluding the Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement this year. He noted that the agreement is expected to serve as the foundation for the new strategic partnership and help double bilateral trade by 2035.
Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., during his visit to Vancouver, pointed out that both countries have instructed their respective foreign ministers to develop an action plan for the partnership, with defense and security cooperation identified as a key pillar. He welcomed Canada's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marcos thanked Canada for its "open and consistent support" of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration ruling, stating that the decision is final and legally binding. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a rules-based order under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1869711511468169/
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