MANILA: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Wednesday called for de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East, describing the humanitarian situation as “quite grave.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Anand said Canada remains committed to protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, urging all parties to negotiate and uphold a lasting ceasefire.
What was Canada’s position on the South China Sea?
Anand also expressed concern over the latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, describing the incident as “troubling” and reaffirming Canada’s support for resolving maritime disputes under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
She said Canada opposes intimidation in territorial disputes and reiterated its support for a free and open Indo-Pacific. During the ASEAN summit, Anand also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with discussions covering bilateral relations and regional security.
Separately, Anand said Canada is seeking to diversify trade beyond the United States and is prioritising the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Canada and ASEAN.