The 19th EU-Canada summit will take place in St John’s, Canada. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will represent the EU.
Leaders will underscore EU-Canada’s shared commitment to democratic values, multilateralism and the international rules-based order as the bedrock of their relationship.
At the end of the summit, leaders are expected to issue a joint statement.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
Leaders should reconfirm EU-Canada’s long-term commitment and unwavering support to Ukraine, including with regard to:
- security commitments
- military assistance
- reconstruction
- the reforms required for Ukraine’s European integration path
- the global consequences of the war
- EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (background information)
- Impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information)
Middle East
Leaders are expected to discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East.
Economy
Leaders are expected to advance cooperation towards open and resilient economies by highlighting:
- CETA’s positive results on trade and investment
- tangible outcomes of the EU-Canada strategic partnership on critical raw materials, notably actions 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
Leaders will discuss how to intensify cooperation to address the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution) and foster a global net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Energy
Leaders will discuss 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.
Digital society
Leaders will deepen digital cooperation towards a positive and human-centric digital economy and society with a focus on issues such as:
- artificial intelligence
- cyber security
- secure and resilient international connectivity infrastructure
Armenia
Leaders will discuss the possible contribution of Canada to the EU Mission in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy.
The objective of the mission is to:
- contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia
- build confidence on the ground
- ensure an environment conducive to normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan
EU-Canada relations are underpinned by a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Provisionally applied since April 2017, these agreements have greatly boosted both sides’ economies and led to an ever closer partnership between the EU and Canada.
- EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (EEAS)
- EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (European Commission)
The previous EU-Canada summit took place in June 2021 in Brussels.
The leaders discussed how to work together to pursue a sustainable, people-centred and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
They reaffirmed their ambitious commitments on fighting climate change and protecting the environment, and their determination to promote democratic values, peace and security.
