President Lee Jae Myung on May 8 speaks on the phone with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Margareth Theresia

President Lee Jae Myung in phone talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has discussed the situation in the Middle East and energy supply and demand.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung in a written briefing on May 8 said both leaders that day observed that follow-up measures from their bilateral summit in October last year held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, are smoothly progressing.

Calling Canada a "key ally," President Lee said, "Amid the complex international order and unstable global supply chains in energy, I look forward to Korea and Canada raising cooperation in various sectors such as security, economy, energy, core minerals and cutting-edge industries."

Prime Minister Carney agreed, stressing the importance of middle powers such as Korea and Canada bolstering solidarity through a more practical approach.

Both sides agreed on closer bilateral cooperation in global efforts for a peaceful resolution of the situation in the Middle East, guarantee of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stable energy supply.

They also pledged to continue frequent communication to further develop bilateral ties.

margareth@korea.kr