The Philippines and Canada signed two agreements following a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

One of the agreements is the Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation. The second covers tourism and migration.

President Marcos said the two countries also signed bilateral understandings and declarations of cooperation in tourism, culture, and labor and migration.

"I am also glad to have witnessed today the signing of bilateral understandings and declarations of cooperation in the areas of tourism, culture, and labor and migration. These agreements will help us harness the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries, as we jointly build capacities and create a mutually beneficial talent pipeline for the future," Marcos said.

Marcos also thanked Canada for its Dark Vessel Detection Program, which has been deployed in the Philippines to help the country combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. 

He also thanked Canada for its continued support for the Philippines' position in the South China Sea.

Aside from strengthening ties with the Philippines, Carney also expressed Canada's desire to strengthen its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"We are deepening our trade and investment across ASEAN, the fastest-growing region in the world, and nowhere [is it] more important that, under your leadership — your leadership in ASEAN — we're moving with determination to conclude negotiations of our Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement by this summit this year," Carney said.

The two leaders also announced the elevation of Philippines-Canada relations to a "strategic partnership."

Following his meeting with the Canadian prime minister, Marcos is set to meet with Canadian businessmen and investors.

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