P-Noy discusses trade, other issues with New Zealand, Canadian foreign ministers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino received in Malacanang yesterday the foreign ministers of New Zealand and Canada   who were both invited by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

The President first received New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace where they exchanged views on defense, geothermal energy, dairy industry, labor, development cooperation, environment and disaster preparedness and mitigation.

It was McCully’s first visit to the Philippines as New Zealand’s minister for Foreign Affairs.

Joining McCully during the courtesy call were New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Reuben Levermore, acting director of Southeast Asia-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Stephen Harris, New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines deputy head of Mission Andy White, Incoming deputy head of Mission of New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines Justin Allen, Defense Attache Captain Wilson Trumper, and McCully’s private secretary Amanda Vercoe.

For the Philippine side, also present were Del Rosario, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia Benavides, among others.

The Philippines and New Zealand have been enjoying 46 years of bilateral relations.

After McCully’s courtesy call, the President then met with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird also   at the Music Room.  

Baird is in the country for a four-day visit that would involve talks with major business groups to broaden Canada’s political and economic interests in the region.

Accompanying Baird were Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley, Consul and Trade Commissioner Robert McCubbing, political counselor James Christoff and executive assistant to the Minister Jonathan Ballingall.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) noted that the year 2012 marks the 63rd year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada which was established in December 1949.

Since 2010, the Philippines had been Canada’s largest source of immigrants and temporary workers, with more than 842,741 Filipinos living in Canada.  In 2011, remittances from Filipinos in Canada amounted to $2.07 billion or 10.3 percent of total remittances for the year.