General documents - Statement on the occasion of the EU-Canada Summit - 23 June 2025 - Delegation for relations with Canada
On the occasion of the EU-Canada summit being held in Brussels on 23 June 2025, the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Canada, Mr Javier Moreno Sanchez, the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr David McAllister, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs Standing Rapporteur for Canada, Mr Tobias Cremer issued the following statement.
The EU-Canada Summit in Brussels is taking place at a defining geopolitical moment. This is not a summit of "business as usual" - it is a time that demands renewed vision and determination from close allies who share common values and responsibilities on the global stage.
Around us, the world is facing escalating crises. Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine continues to challenge peace, security, and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin the international order. At the same time, instability and military confrontation in the Middle East risks spiralling into wider conflict. In this context, it is imperative that the European Union and Canada remain united - in our commitment to defending democracy, supporting Ukraine, and working together to help avoid a further escalation into regional war in the Middle East.
Beyond the immediate crises, we are also confronted with mounting pressure on the rules-based international order. Free, fair, and open trade is increasingly under threat. As two strong advocates of multilateralism, the EU and Canada must intensify their cooperation to uphold the principles of international law, human rights, and sustainable development.
This is why our partnership needs a new boost - one that reflects the challenges of our time. The ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) must now become a priority. CETA is more than a trade deal, it is a strategic pillar of our transatlantic relationship. It strengthens our economic resilience, supports innovation and sustainable growth, and affirms our joint commitment to open markets and democratic values. In this context, we are committed to using parliamentary diplomacy with our counterparts in national parliaments across Europe to help accelerate the ratification process.
Moreover, we must explore new forms of partnership - from green technologies and critical raw materials to digital regulation. We welcome the intention to strengthen and formalise the security and defence partnership between the EU and Canada . We stand ready to support this deepening of ties and to foster the dialogue necessary for an ambitious and forward-looking EU-Canada agenda.
In moments like these, partnerships like ours are not just valuable - they are essential.
