Marcos gets schedule to meet Canada's Trudeau

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits in Cambodia.

According to GMA Integrated News' Mariz Umali, Marcos so disclosed in an interview with reporters on the presidential flight en route to Phnom Penh.

“I just made a schedule with Trudeau... I’ve never met with him so I suppose it’s just going to be an introductory one,” Marcos said.

Marcos arrived in the Cambodian capital at 6:43 p.m. local time. 

Marcos mentioned a possible discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on nuclear power.

“Macron of France, I’ve spoken to him twice already... Siguro we can move forward on the details of the things that he’s thinking about,” Marcos said.

“Remember also we’ve been talking about nuclear power. France is 67% nuclear power... So they’re very well-practiced when it comes to that," he added.

Marcos is expected to meet with other ASEAN leaders and key multilateral and international organizations during the summit slated from November 10 to 13.

At his pre-departure speech, Marcos said his attendance at the summit would promote and protect the country's interests in the ASEAN.

It will also be an instrument to address regional issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in Myanmar, developments in the South China Sea, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he added.

On top of the list of topics that will be discussed during the meetings are matters related to the post-pandemic economic recovery and transformation.

The South China Sea row is also expected to be tackled, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the heads of state and government of ASEAN member states.

The Philippines' commencement date with ASEAN was on August 8, 1967.

The ASEAN is pushing to accelerate the economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.—Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News