15.15°C Vancouver

Jun 23, 2025 12:57 PM - The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Carney in Brussels today for EU-Canada summit

Share On
prime-minister-carney-in-brussels-today-for-eu-canada-summit
Canada will need to sign a second agreement with the European Commission before it can take part in the program.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Belgium today, where he will visit a military cemetery before meeting with European Union leaders at an EU-Canada summit.

Carney said on social media Sunday that he was in Brussels to launch "a new era of partnership" between Canada and the European Union for the benefit of workers, businesses and security "on both sides of the Atlantic."

He begins the day with a visit to the Antwerp Schoonselhof Military Cemetery where 348 Canadian soldiers are buried.

Later, he will meet with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

At the EU-Canada summit, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Defence Minister David McGuinty are expected to sign a security and defence agreement with the European bloc in what one European official described last week as one of the most ambitious deals the continent's powers have ever signed with a third country.

The security and defence agreement aims to open the door to Canada's participation in the joint purchase of weapons with European countries.

It will also lead to Canada's participation in the ReArm Europe initiative, allowing Canada to access a 150-billion-euro program for defence procurement, called Security Action for Europe.

Canada will need to sign a second agreement with the European Commission before it can take part in the program.

A government official briefing reporters on the trip said the partnership is expected to make procurement easier and more affordable, while also allowing Canada to diversify the sources of equipment.

At the EU-Canada summit, leaders are also expected to issue a joint statement to underscore a willingness for continued pressure on Russia to end its war on Ukraine, including through further sanctions, and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The joint statement is also expected to touch on climate change, trade and digital and tech policy.

Leaders at the EU-Canada summit are also slated to discuss global trade and commit to working towards full ratification and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the Canada-Europe free trade deal known as CETA.

The pact took effect provisionally in 2017, and most of its contents now apply. But all EU countries need to approve CETA before it can take full effect, with 10 members still left to ratify the deal.

Carney, Costa and von der Leyen are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in the evening.

On Tuesday, Carney travels to The Hague for the NATO summit.

The international meetings come as Canada looks to reduce its defence procurement reliance on the United States due to strained relations over tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated talk about Canada becoming a U.S. state.

Latest news

trump-signs-new-stablecoin-regulations-into-law-a-major-milestone-for-crypto-industry
WorldJul 18, 2025

Trump signs new stablecoin regulations into law, a major milestone for crypto industry

President Donald Trump has signed the GENIUS Act into law, setting new regulations for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tied to assets like the U.S. dollar. The law, passed with bipartisan support, introduces consumer protections and aims to boost confidence in the crypto industry. On Friday, Trump called the move a step toward cementing U.S. dominance in global finance and crypto technology. A provision bans Congress members from profiting off stablecoins but excludes the president and his family. Meanwhile, the House passed two additional crypto-related bills, now heading to the Sen
investigation-underway-for-stolen-vehicle-that-crashed-into-retaining-wall
BCJul 18, 2025

Investigation underway for stolen vehicle that crashed into retaining wall

On July 17, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., West Shore RCMP responded to a report of a collision where a stolen Grey 2004 GMC Jimmy crashed into a brick retaining wall in front of the 2600 block of Peatt Rd in Langford. The vehicle stopped short of crashing into the multi unit dwelling at this location, however, it did cause significant damage to the retaining wall and the vehicle itself. Witnesses advised that there were several suspects seen exiting the vehicle right after the crash. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying these suspects. Suspect Descriptions: Group of
canada-beat-japan-enter-semis-of-the-fiba-u-19-womens-world-cup
CanadaJul 18, 2025

Canada beat Japan, enter semis of the FIBA U-19 women's world cup

Canada's women's basketball team has entered the semifinals of the FIBA U-19 World Cup. Canada won the match played against Japan by a margin of 85-65. In this match, Syla Swords contributed 17 points for Canada in a strong performance. Jasmine Bascoe contributed 16 points in the same contest. The performance of Swords, who hails from Sudbury, Ontario, in the tournament being played in the Czech Republic has been commendable and her average per contest has been 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The Canadian team's semifinal match will be against Australia on Saturday.
federal-official-say-forecast-suggests-high-risk-of-wildfires-in-august
CanadaJul 18, 2025

Federal official say forecast suggests high risk of wildfires in August

Federal officials say the 2025 wildfire season is one of the worst on record for Canada, with a high risk of more fires in August. More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July. There are 561 fires burning, including 69 that are considered out of control, and most of them are on the Prairies. Officials say the fire risk rises throughout August and they are predicting higher than normal temperatures for most of the country next month. August is also slated to bring below-normal rainfall levels for the Prairies, B.C. and th
mother-of-girl-with-rare-disease-says-nightmare-is-over-after-b-c-restores-funding
CanadaJul 18, 2025

Mother of girl with rare disease says "nightmare is over" after B.C. restores funding

The mother of a 10-year-old Vancouver Island girl who has an extremely rare disease says the "nightmare is over" after the government restored funding for her daughter's drug for as long as she needs it. Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. to have Batten disease, and her mother Jori Fales says in a social post that she is "beyond grateful" for "all the beautiful humans that have moved mountains" for her daughter. Pollock says the "love, support, generosity, compassion, kindness and devotion" shown by supporters of her daughters are "unmatched." Health Minister Josie Osborne announced

Related News