(UPDATE) VANCOUVER, Canada — The Philippines and Canada have agreed to enhance their partnership by elevating their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership that will deepen defense and economic cooperation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the announcement following his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Vancouver Convention Center Thursday (Friday in Manila) where they witnessed the signing of four agreements aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries during his official visit here.
The two leaders also agreed to sign a free trade agreement this year.
"Today, I am pleased to announce the elevation of our bilateral relationship through strategic partnership," Marcos said during a joint press statement with Carney.
"We have tasked our foreign minister to draw up a plan of action to pursue our shared commitment to work together," he added.
Marcos and Carney were on hand for the signing of the joint declaration of intent on energy and natural resources cooperation.
"I am also glad to have witnessed today the signing of bilateral understandings and declaration of cooperations in the areas of tourism, culture and labor and migration," he said.
'Timely visit'
Marcos said his visit came at a "timely" moment as Ottawa was expanding its engagement in the Indo-Pacific and across Asia.
"Prime Minister Carney and I, reaffirmed our commitment to conclude our negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement this year," Marcos said during a joint press statement with Carney.
The President said he and Carney also agreed to negotiate the Asean-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
Marcos described his visit as "timely because of the increasing engagement of Canada, not only in the Indo-Pacific but in Asia in general."
"Those are elements that we hope to further discuss," Marcos said.
The President also cited the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries, noting that the number of Filipinos living and working in Canada is nearing one million.
"We work from a very solid basis in our people-to-people relations, and the growing number of Filipinos who work and live in Canada are approaching a million now. That is a very firm basis because of the way Filipinos have been accepted and assimilated into Canadian society, and for that we are very grateful," Marcos said.
"That is what we hope to build on and make stronger and deeper after this visit," he added.
Carney, meanwhile, expressed Canada's commitment to expanding defense, security, and economic cooperation with the Philippines.
During the meeting, the Canadian prime minister praised Marcos' leadership as this year's chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), describing the Philippines as "a trailblazer" that shares Canada's values and commitment to peace and prosperity.
"I also should mention the deep cultural tie and what we've benefited from your great nation and how we will continue to benefit," Carney said.
"And one of the things that we will focus on is how to tighten those ties," he added, referring to defense, security, and economic cooperation between Canada and the Philippines.
