PH, Canada Convene Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on Eve of 70th Year of Relation
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and Global Affairs Canada Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific Donald Bobiash. (Ottawa PE photo)
OTTAWA 27 September 2018 — The Philippines and Canada convened the Fourth Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) on 20 to 21 September 2018 in the Canadian capital of Ottawa.
The Philippine delegation was headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, and the Canadian delegation by Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific Donald Bobiash. The meeting covered a wide range of important issues including regional developments, trade and investment, environment and climate change, education, agriculture and development cooperation.
According to Undersecretary Manalo, the Philippines and Canada agreed on measures to further their relations and discussed fresh prospects for cooperation in areas such as countering violent extremism, combating child abuse, and agricultural biotechnology.
Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of the JCBC—formed in 2012—in providing a platform for exchanging views on issues of mutual concern, and exploring new initiatives aimed at expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation.
“The long-standing partnership between the Philippines and Canada has been productive and multi-faceted, strengthened by their common adherence to shared goals and values and close people-to-people interaction,” Undersecretary Manalo said.
The Philippines and Canada will commemorate the 70th anniversary of their bilateral relations next year.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo was joined by Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Maria Lumen B. Isleta, Consul General Gilbert GB Asuque, Consul General Maria Andrelita S. Austria, Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero, Public-Private Partnership Center Deputy Executive Director Eleazar Ricote, Labor Attaché Margarita Eugenia Victorino, and other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Department of Labor and Employment. (Ottawa PE photo)
The Philippines will host the next JCBC in Manila at a mutually convenient date in 2020. END