The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that she will welcome Dato Erywan Yusof, Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Canada on 18 September, 2023.
The ministers will meet to explore avenues for increased bilateral cooperation in a number of key areas, such as defence, trade and investment, and climate change. Minister Joly will use this opportunity to convey her appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for the support the country provided to Canada throughout the process of launching the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada Strategic Partnership and will discuss how Canada and ASEAN can capitalize on this newly established relationship.
Read: UK Foreign Secretary Visits Brunei Darussalam
During the visit, Minister Joly and her counterpart will also exchange views on pressing regional and global security threats, including tensions in the South China Sea and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and Ukraine.
As the two countries approach the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2024, Canada will continue to work with Brunei to protect and uphold regional peace and security and to create opportunities for all their peoples.
“Southeast Asia is of great strategic and economic importance to Canada, as reflected in our Indo-Pacific Strategy, and Brunei has positioned itself as an important partner of Canada’s. I look forward to hosting Dato Erywan in Ottawa, as I know our two countries can develop an even deeper relationship by building on shared goals and values.”
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Read: Canada Praised for Strong and Well-Coordinated Policy Actions
Quick facts
- Canada and Brunei Darussalam established diplomatic relations in 1984.
- Canada and Brunei cooperate in multinational forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Trade Organization, Commonwealth and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.
- Notable trade between Canada and Brunei occurs in oil and gas, education, and defence and security. In 2022, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Brunei amounted to a value of $9 million.
Source: Canada.ca
