Anita Anand Seeks ASEAN Trade Deal and Regional Stability

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called for a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation in the Middle East during an ASEAN meeting in Manila on Wednesday. Describing the situation as "quite grave," Anand urged parties to negotiate a lasting peace.

On the sidelines of the summit, Anand expressed concern regarding maritime confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. She stated that Canada does not agree with intimidation as a means of addressing disputes and reaffirmed the country's support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Anand also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss regional security and bilateral relations. Beyond security concerns, Canada is prioritizing the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to diversify its trade partners beyond the United States.