JAKARTA, investor.id – Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has reiterated his country’s commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indo-Pacific region. He underscored Canada’s position as a reliable partner in relations with ASEAN.

Quoted on the official website of the Canadian Prime Minister in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/15) while attending the ASEAN summit, Trudeau outlined his country’s priorities in the ASEAN region. This includes promoting regional peace and stability, expanding and diversifying trade to create decent middle-class jobs in Canada and Southeast Asia, building economic resilience, and investing and strengthening interpersonal ties.

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“Canada and ASEAN have a long history of partnership. Canada stands with ASEAN as a steadfast partner, working together to ensure an inclusive, strong and people-centered future,” he said as quoted by Antara on Tuesday.

Trudeau attends the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 13. The Canadian leaders were invited as guests of Cambodia, which chairs ASEAN 2022. Canada has also been an ASEAN dialogue partner since 1977.

In 2021, the Canadian government launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN. The FTA will lay the foundations for a more strategic relationship between the two parties, thus stimulating economic growth, innovation and job creation on both sides of the Pacific.

With respect to the ASEAN Memorial Summit on Nov. 12, which also marks the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations, both sides pledged to create a Canada-ASEAN strategic partnership. It also represents Canada’s strong ties to the region, an important and symbolic step towards a stronger relationship.

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“I look forward to working with Asean and its member states, and the Indo-Pacific region as a whole, to expand and diversify trade, create good middle-class jobs, promote regional peace and security, and building closer ties between people for a safer, cleaner, changing world,” Trudeau added.

Publishers: Grace El Dora ([email protected])