Manila, Feb. 14 -- Canada and the Philippines will commence their first round of negotiation for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Saturday.

In a text message to the Philippine News Agency, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the Philippines will host the formal negotiations from Feb. 18 to 20.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to initiate the talks, intending to conclude them within the year, during their bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October last year.

According to the Canadian foreign affairs ministry, Canadian stakeholders have a "high level of support" for the potential Canada-Philippin...