The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit Japan and Malaysia this week to deepen Canada's strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, which play a critical role in shaping Canada's future.
In Tokyo, Minister Anand will meet with Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi to strengthen Canada's trade and defence cooperation and advance shared security and prosperity interests.
Minister Anand will work to advance the Canada-Japan Security of Information Agreement, which will deepen defence and security collaboration between the 2 countries. This agreement builds on Canada's strong bilateral relationship with Japan, an influential strategic and economic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
On July 10, Minister Anand will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference Plus Canada in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting brings together the 10 ASEAN member states and Canada to highlight progress made through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership. The meeting will be an opportunity to find new ways to advance shared interests, including economic and security priorities.
After the conference, Minister Anand will speak with ASEAN and Canadian trade negotiators, as well as business representatives to highlight Canada's commitment to concluding an ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement. This agreement would bolster trade and investment and give Canadian businesses preferential access to new markets in the region.
On July 11, Minister Anand will attend the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) where she will discuss pressing regional and global security challenges, such as the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea-Russia military cooperation and growing insecurity in the Middle East. She will also reaffirm Canada's steadfast commitment to ASEAN as a reliable, engaged and enduring security partner in the region.
While in Kuala Lumpur, Minister Anand will also hold bilateral meetings with several counterparts to advance bilateral opportunities and mutual objectives. This visit will demonstrate Canada's commitment to continue strengthening ties with those in the Indo-Pacific, in line with the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
