Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned home on Sunday after concluding his four-day official visit to Canada that led to the elevation of ties at the highest level of diplomatic engagement and the signing of key agreements on priority areas. Aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR001, Marcos and the official Philippine delegation arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 3:56 p.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, following his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Vancouver, the Philippines and Canada elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The two countries also signed four agreements on labor and migration, energy and natural resources, tourism, and cultural cooperation.

Marcos and Carney committed to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement before year-end. Marcos also led a series of roundtable discussions and meetings with Canadian business leaders. Several firms expressed interest in investing in or expanding their operations in the Philippines. The business meetings yielded USD2.5 billion in investment commitments from Canadian companies.

His visit to Canada was a first by a Philippine president in more than a decade.