EU-Canada: standing together for peace and prosperity

The 19th EU-Canada summit took place in St John’s, Canada. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, represented the EU.

Leaders emphasized EU-Canada’s shared commitment to democratic values, multilateralism and the international rules-based order as the bedrock of their relationship.

They also announced new areas of cooperation thanks to:

• the establishment of a Green Alliance
• the launch of a digital partnership 
• concluding negotiations on Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

Leaders reconfirmed EU-Canada’s long-term commitment and unwavering support to Ukraine, including with regard to:

• military, humanitarian, economic and financial support
• security commitments
• reconstruction
• the reforms required for Ukraine’s European integration path
• the global consequences of the war

The EU and Canada called for work to continue towards the establishment of a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine and a future compensation mechanism.

Leaders recognised the value and the importance of their cooperation on restrictive measures. They will continue to impose extensive sanctions targeting Russia, as well as stringent export control restrictions and prohibitions.

Leaders also reaffirmed their support for Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Middle East

Leaders discussed the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

They condemned Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks on 7 October and supported Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.

They expressed their concern about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and welcomed the United Nation Security Council resolution which calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza strip.

Sustainable economic growth

Leaders pointed out how the EU-Canada economic relationship, underpinned by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), has contributed to delivering prosperity for both economies during a period of global uncertainty.

The EU and Canada will continue to:

• ensure the full implementation of CETA
• strengthen EU-Canada trade, including for SMEs and women entrepreneurs
• cooperate towards building resilient and diversified supply chains

Leaders also discussed how to enhance medium to long-term cooperation on energy matters, especially hydrogen supply chains, with a view to accelerating hydrogen commercialisation and increasing transatlantic trade.

EU-Canada summit to take place on 23 and 24 November

As critical minerals are essential for the transition towards climate-neutral economies, the EU and Canada will continue to advance shared work on the topic, including through the EU-Canada strategic partnership on raw materials.

This includes joint efforts to engage and connect EU and Canadian businesses and to accelerate two-way trade and investment that can help develop new supply sources.

Climate and environment

Thanks to the newly announced Green Alliance, the EU and Canada will intensify cooperation on:

• fighting climate change
• protecting the environment and ocean
• halting and reversing biodiversity loss
• growing a strong, prosperous future

At the forthcoming COP28, the EU and Canada will work together to promote decisive global action to tackle the climate crisis and accelerate the global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels with the goal of limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C.

Leaders recognised that carbon pricing is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while spurring on related investment and innovation.

The EU and Canada made a commitment to continue working closely on measures to address carbon leakage risks in a non-discriminatory manner, including on cooperation on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Research

The EU and Canada announced the completion of substantive negotiations on Canada’s association with the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

The programme will provide new opportunities for international science partnerships on global challenges.

Digital innovation

The EU and Canada launched the EU-Canada Digital Partnership, which will deepen digital cooperation towards a positive and human-centric digital economy and society with a focus on issues such as:

• artificial intelligence
• online platform governance and accountability
• quantum technologies
• secure international connectivity and cyber security
• digital skills

More information: European Council