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Oct 7, 2024 1:53 PM - Connect Newsroom - Debby Rai with files from The Canadian Press

Trudeau to visit Laos for first time by a Canadian PM, aims to strengthen trade and security ties at ASEAN Summit

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit Laos this week for the ASEAN Summit - the first official visit by a Canadian PM to the Southeast Asian nation. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make a historic visit to Laos later this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, marking the first-ever official trip by a Canadian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

The summit will take place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Thursday and Friday, where Trudeau will participate in the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit. His office says he will emphasize Canada’s leadership in tackling global security challenges, including cybercrime, and reinforce ongoing efforts toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement targeted for completion by the end of 2025.

ASEAN, a 10-member regional bloc, is Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $38.8 billion in 2023. The visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Canada–Laos diplomatic relations, and Trudeau’s office says the trip aims to “forge even stronger ties” in economic cooperation, education, and climate resilience.

Canada entered into a strategic partnership with ASEAN last year as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which focuses on expanding Canada’s trade and diplomatic footprint in the region - a key interest for diverse diaspora communities in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, home to many Canadians with roots in Southeast Asia.

Following the ASEAN meetings, Trudeau will travel to Ramstein Air Base in Germany to attend the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden. There, he is expected to underline Canada’s continued support for Ukraine, including assistance in defence, training, and reconstruction.

“Shared challenges require shared solutions,” Trudeau said in a statement ahead of his trip. “Whether it’s fighting climate change, creating good jobs, or strengthening democracy, Canada is playing a leadership role in building a safer and fairer world.”

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