MANILA — Canada’s foreign minister Anita Anand used the margins of an ASEAN gathering in Manila on Wednesday to press for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East and reaffirm her country’s commitment to international law in the South China Sea.
Anand described the current situation in the Middle East as alarming, saying Canada would “always call for de-escalation, a ceasefire, and respect for humanitarian considerations and human life” as the fighting continues to intensify.
“The situation is quite grave, and we very much hope that parties will come to the table and ensure that the permanent ceasefire is negotiated and held,” she said, stressing that hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.
Anand also addressed the latest standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, describing it as deeply concerning. “Without question, the incident is troubling, and we are concerned,” she said. “We do not agree with intimidation as a means of addressing disputes.”
She said Canada backs resolving maritime disputes through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, known as UNCLOS, and repeated Ottawa’s longstanding commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
“Whether we’re talking about the Indo-Pacific, the Strait of Hormuz, or waterways generally, there is a need to remember that the structure of freely navigable waters and international law is a guidepost that we can gravitate towards,” Anand said.
When asked about her Tuesday meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Anand confirmed the two discussed both bilateral relations and regional security matters. “In terms of the broader geopolitical situation, we did spend some time on the Indo-Pacific, and I raised my concerns,” she said, without providing further detail.
On the economic front, Anand said Canada is actively working to broaden its trade relationships beyond the United States and is pushing hard to finalize a free trade agreement with ASEAN. “Making sure that there’s unanimity towards concluding the FTA between ASEAN and Canada, that’s our top priority here at this summit,” she said.
