Ottawa, Nov 3 (IANS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he will visit Vietnam and the Philippines from November 6 to 14.
"Canada and Vietnam's relationship is anchored in strong people-to-people connections, and has expanded greatly in the last forty years. I look forward to meeting with Vietnam's leaders to advance important issues like good governance and human rights, strengthen our trade and investment cooperation, and create more opportunities for our middle class," Xinhua news agency quoted Trudeau as saying on Thursday.
Trudeau will pay an official visit to Vietnam. In Hanoi, he will meet with Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as well as Communist Party of Vietnam Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong.
He will then head to Ho Chi Minh City, where he will meet with Vietnamese business leaders and participate in an armchair discussion at Ton Duc Thang University.
Finally, he will travel to the city of Da Nang to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
At the Economic Leaders' meeting, the Prime Minister will promote Canada as a partner of choice for trade and investment in the region, and deepen economic cooperation with APEC economies.
After the APEC Leaders' Meeting, he will travel to the Philippines to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.
He will take part in the Canada-ASEAN Commemorative Summit to review relations between Canada and the 10 ASEAN countries and identify areas where the two sides can increase collaboration.
"Everyone - including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples - should have the opportunity to benefit from the opportunities that flow from the global economy. That is the message I will bring to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the ASEAN Summit," Trudeau said.
"Canada will continue to promote a progressive trade agenda that benefits the middle class, and look for more opportunities to engage the Asia-Pacific region."