Minister Joly meets with Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, as both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations

May 8, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today hosted Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, in Ottawa on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations.

During their meeting, Minister Joly and Secretary Manalo discussed the strong people-to-people ties that serve as the foundation of our bilateral relationship, as well as shared priorities, such as defence and security cooperation, maritime affairs, climate action, human rights, and economic resilience.  The Ministers reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment to upholding democracy, sovereignty, multilateralism, and emphasized the importance of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Minister Joly provided an update on the delivery of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy since its launch in November 2022, including the expansion of Canada’s electronic travel authorization program to the Philippines; the implementation of Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection program in the Philippines; the signing of a Canada-Philippines Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation; and, the opening of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila.

Secretary Manalo shared with Minister Joly information on significant developments in the Philippines that will create new opportunities between our countries, such as the Philippines’ strides to develop its infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, improve its human capital, as well as advance its maritime law enforcement capabilities.

The Ministers reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to working together to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed further Canadian Armed Forces participation in multilateral exercises led by the Philippines and other partners.

Noting the robust and mutually beneficial partnership between our countries, both Ministers agreed to instruct officials to begin discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship. The Ministers discussed the prospective visit of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to Canada.

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• Minister Joly welcomes Philippines’ Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Canada

Associated links

• Canada-Philippines relations
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: 2022 to 2023 Implementation update