ASEAN, Canada deepen longstanding partnership

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their longstanding partnership, at the 11th ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting held on April 3 at the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN, Canada deepen longstanding partnership ảnh 1Delegates at the 11th ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting holds on April 3 at the ASEAN Secretariat. (Photo: asean.org)
Jakarta (VNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada reaffirmed their commitment tofurther strengthen their longstanding partnership, at the 11th ASEAN-CanadaJoint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting held on April 3 at the ASEANSecretariat.  

The meeting reviewed the progress of the ASEAN-Canada partnership whichhas expanded to cover a wide range of areas of cooperation across the threepillars of ASEAN Community and was pleased with the significant progress madein the implementation of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2021-2025).

To further deepen its engagement and in support of its collaborativeprogrammes with ASEAN, Canada highlighted the establishment of the ASEAN-CanadaPlan of Action Trust Fund this year.

For future cooperation, ASEAN and Canada highlighted the importance ofenhancing partnership in the four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook onthe Indo-Pacific through concrete projects to support its implementation.

Both sides also emphasised the need to work closely in areas of foodsecurity; Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda; and human rights and theprotection of migrant workers through the extension of Tripartite Action forthe Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the ASEANRegion (TRIANGLE in ASEAN) Phase II until 2024. In addition, the meetingencouraged Canada to increase the number of scholarships and the humandevelopment programmes for ASEAN.

Both sides also recognised the importance of working together in theareas of trade and investment; tourism; digital economy; micro, small, andmedium enterprises (MSMEs); women economic empowerment; public health;infrastructure and connectivity. Additionally, both sides also looked forwardto the progress in the ongoing ASEAN-Canada Free Trade (FTA) negotiations.

The meeting flagged the need to develop practical programmes andactivities that are tangible, sustainable, mutually beneficial, regional, andpertinent to current challenges. Canada also reaffirmed its commitment tosupport Timor-Leste as observer of ASEAN with the relevant capacity buildingprogrammes.

Recalling the successful ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit that markedthe 45th anniversary of their dialogue relations last year, both sides lookedforward to the adoption of a joint statement to establish their strategicpartnership at the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meeting in July this year./.
VNA

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