SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim engaged in talks with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, delving into ways to bolster bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and Canada.
The meeting, at the request of Canada, covered various facets beyond trade and investment, including cybersecurity, education, energy, and climate change, as highlighted by Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister.
In 2022, the total trade between Malaysia and Canada witnessed a positive uptick, reaching RM10.35 billion, marking a 4.2 per cent increase from the RM9.93 billion recorded in 2021. The discussions hold particular significance as 2023 marks the 66th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and Ottawa.
Anwar shared that the leaders exchanged views on the complex issue of Palestine. Trudeau emphasized the imperative to safeguard civilians on both sides and address the humanitarian crisis. He advocated for a two-state solution, supporting an independent Palestine while reiterating Israel's right to protect itself.
Anwar, underscoring the need to tackle the root cause of the conflict and end Israeli occupation, pointed out historical atrocities committed against Palestinians. He drew attention to the ongoing construction of illegal settlements by Israel. Both leaders concurred that the ongoing conflict should serve as a wake-up call for the international community, urging an end to Israeli occupation based on the two-state solution.
In addition, Trudeau pledged increased assistance for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. Anwar utilized the opportunity to address the visa issue, emphasizing the extended waiting period for Malaysian tourists applying for Canadian visas compared to the visa-on-arrival privilege granted to Canadian tourists by Malaysia.
Anwar reiterated his request for a reciprocal arrangement, similar to the visa-on-arrival facility extended by Canada to Malaysia's neighboring countries. Trudeau assured prompt rectification of the situation, demonstrating a commitment to address the visa-related concerns promptly.
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