MANILA -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to visit Canada next year as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

During the Philippine-Canada bilateral meeting on Wednesday at the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Jakarta Convention Center, Trudeau extended the invitation as he expressed gladness to sit down again with President Marcos for an opportunity to talk about the ties and connections between Canada and the Philippines.

“Next year, we are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. It will be celebrated. But the reality is the trade ties, economic ties between our countries continue to grow, the opportunities for investment, the flow of people back and forth as well. The Filipino-Canadian diaspora is incredibly important to all of us,” Trudeau said.

As a response, Marcos said he was equally happy to meet the Canadian leader again to discuss all of the issues that are really in the process of evolution including the Philippine diaspora.

“Again, we cannot have discussions without mentioning the diaspora, the Philippine diaspora, to Canada. And I noted during our Independence Day, all these celebrations being held officially by local governments around Canada for the Philippines, as a celebration of Philippine culture, a celebration of Philippine independence, was really indicative of how well they have assimilated themselves into places and into your society,” President Marcos said.

“And for that, that is something that we need to continue and to develop. It is perhaps the way of the world,” he added.

Canada, President Marcos said, has become the much-desired destination for many Filipino workers, and many families that have grown up in Canada are always unanimous in their enthusiasm for the way that the Canadian society has been open, warm, and hospitable to them.

Regionally, Marcos said that Canada’s shift towards the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific now is significant particularly with the growing and evolving economies, noting that the partnership has become more important.

“I hope that— I cannot see, I need not hope because I’m very optimistic about the future and I cannot see any obstacles to our continually and deepening relations,” he said.

Wednesday’s event is the third bilateral meeting between Marcos and Trudeau since the President’s assumption into office last year.

The meeting was an opportunity for the Philippines to encourage trade and investments in clean, renewable energy and critical minerals exploration and processing, cooperation on agri-science and urban agriculture in view of Canada’s planned regional agriculture office in Manila, as well as expand cooperation in education and credentials recognition of Filipinos to practice their professions in Canada.

Canada has been vocal in its support for the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea issue and expressed support for defense cooperation centered on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR). (PND)