Senate President Win Gatchalian recently hosted Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippines, held from July 21-24.
Together with Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators JV Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, and Erwin Tulfo, the Senate President engaged in exchanges with the Canadian Minister and delegation.
Both sides highlighted the thriving relations between the Philippines and Canada which was recently elevated to a strategic partnership.
This is seen by Gatchalian as a milestone reflecting the mutual trust and respect between the two countries, including the shared values and ties that bind them. According to him, this bilateral tie is fortified by nearly one million Filipinos residing and working in Canada.
He also conveyed his appreciation to their counterparts in the Canadian Parliament who have regularly visited the Philippines in pursuit of deepening inter-parliamentary dialogue, and expressed hope that continued engagements will enhance existing and future areas of cooperation.
For her part, Anand cited people-to-people ties as the backbone of Philippines-Canada relations, supported by the vibrant Filipino community in Canada. She referred to them as an integral part of Canada’s society through their significant contributions to its economic, social, and cultural development.
(Photo credit: Senate OIRP/ OSP Gatchalian)
