Asean, Canada discuss closer partnership
Senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada recently met in Toronto to discuss closer partnership between ASEAN and Canada.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia led the Philippine delegation and proposed five areas in which ASEAN and Canada can elevate their relations for mutual benefit: enhancement of trade and investments; cooperation between small- and medium- sized enterprises ( SMEs); partnership in renewable energy, in support of ASEAN’s target to attain energy self- sufficiency and regional energy security; disaster risk reduction, management and climate change; and combating trafficking in persons.
During discussions on regional and international issues, Garcia noted that the positive trend of en- hanced economic partnership between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, including Canada, can only flourish under conditions of lasting peace and security.
He stated that ASEAN is at the frontlines of security challenges confronting the region, such as in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.
Garcia expressed the Philippine position of upholding the peaceful and rules-based settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He also cited ASEAN’s united stance to move forward on a regional Code of Conduct.
Garcia acknowledged Canada’s role in bolstering global efforts to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction through its G8 Global Partnership initiative. —