Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, On
May 8, 2015
President Benigno S. Aquino III held a brief talk with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the second day of his State Visit to Canada at the Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Calling President Aquino a great friend of Canada, PM Harper said that the Philippines and Canada share tremendous relationships particularly in economic, security and people-to-people ties.
President Aquino then thanked the Prime Minister for the hospitality he has shown to him and his delegation. He also acknowledged the generous assistance of the Canadian government to improve the life and situation of the Filipino people.
Canada, as one of the first countries to immediately respond to the Typhoon Haiyan crisis, has provided significant funding for the country’s recovery and rehabilitation. In 2014, the Philippines was designated by Canada as a ‘Country of Focus’ for international development efforts and is a priority market under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP).
During the meeting, Prime Minister Harper took the opportunity to give his condolences and sympathies to the President and the family of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan and non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Domingo ‘Doy’ Lucenario Jr. who was killed in a chopper crash in Pakistan on Friday.
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