Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Thailand’s prime minister on the country’s recent legalization of same-sex marriage.
Prime Minister Trudeau made the comments while attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit held this year in Laos’ capital Vientiane.
The Prime Minister held a flurry of meetings with Asian leaders for most of the day, including one with Thailand’s new Prime Minister Pethunthaan Shinawatra.
“I also wanted to congratulate him on the progress on same-sex marriage,” Trudeau told Shinawatra on Thursday.
Prime Minister Trudeau said Shinawatra’s leadership on same-sex marriage is “exceptional” at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat around the world.
Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially passed on September 24th, allowing same-sex couples to legally marry.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s attendance in Laos reflects Canada’s push for closer ties with countries in the region, and will be his third consecutive participation in an ASEAN summit.
Speaking at the ASEAN-Canada Summit on Thursday night, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would upgrade its diplomatic missions in Vientiane, Laos, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to full embassy status.
“All of this is based on an Indo-Pacific strategy that recognizes ASEAN’s central and growing role in the region,” Trudeau said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Canada is a Pacific country. We value this region because we are part of it.”
Federal officials say Canada is increasing its presence in the region to build confidence as a reliable economic partner, with ASEAN member states jointly becoming Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner last year. He pointed out that he represented
The visit also builds on the Liberal government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which provides a roadmap to strengthen military and economic ties in the region and counter Chinese influence.
Canada’s efforts are part of a larger effort by Western countries to seek stronger economic and political ties with Southeast Asian countries, primarily to reduce dependence on Chinese goods.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Trudeau attended a tripartite meeting with the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in remarks to the media that New Zealand sees its future in the Indo-Pacific.
But as Canada and its allies deepen their ties in Asia, they also face significant differences with countries in the region, including on geopolitics.
Last month, local media reported that Malaysia had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the next ASEAN summit, which will be chaired by Malaysia.
ASEAN also includes Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which oppose Israel’s military action in Gaza and advocate on behalf of the Palestinian people.
Trade Minister Mary Ng told reporters Thursday that Canada is making a concerted effort to increase trade ties in the region, but its values remain steadfast.
“When negotiating with countries, whether it’s bilaterally or multilaterally, like in ASEAN, we can hope that Canada will not compromise its values,” Ng said.
The Canadian government is working toward concluding a free trade agreement with ASEAN, and negotiations with Indonesia are also in the final stages. A free trade agreement with Indonesia is expected to be agreed by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Trudeau also met with the leaders of Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia on Thursday.
He is expected to announce on Friday that Canada will set aside $2 million to support sustainable management of the Mekong River, which flows through several ASEAN member states.