Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) – The Canadian and Philippine governments are in the process of finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation aimed at strengthening Manila’s maritime capabilities in addressing regional challenges.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman expressed optimism that the MoU will be signed very soon. The envoy did not give a precise timetable but said he was confident in the progress of the negotiations.
“I am very optimistic that it will be signed in the not too distant future. I’ll be frank with you and we’ve been negotiating this for a while,” Hartman said.
According to Hartman, the MOU will not be a treaty or legally binding document, but rather a manifestation of “the Canadian government’s will to work with the government of the Philippines, the armed forces and other stakeholders to share best practices.” train together, share technology and conduct joint military exercises.”
As one of the largest maritime countries in the world, Canada said it could provide a lot of expertise in maritime activities and technologies.
“We have three coasts: the Atlantic, the Arctic and the Pacific. We have a tremendous amount of world-class technology that we’d like to develop here,” Hartman said.
“In the area of maritime affairs, we have many high-end technologies, satellite-based technologies and the expansion of the Philippines’ maritime scope to protect your exclusive economic zone, territorial waters and fisheries, and these are the technologies that we help elsewhere on the.” drive out the world,” he added.
The Canadian envoy said Ottawa is also pushing for cooperation between the Coast Guards and Manila.
“Our Coast Guard is very similar to the one here in the Philippines. It aims to help facilitate the free flow of trade and international maritime transport, and that is an area where we are driving discussions forward. Basically, we’re helping the Philippines build their capacity to police, enforce, and protect their own seashores,” he added.
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