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EU – Canada Summit: An historic juncture in our political and economic partnership
The 16th Summit between the European Union and Canada held Sunday in Brussels marks a historic juncture in our political and economic partnership, in the 40th year of formal cooperation.
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, signed two landmark agreements: the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).
"Today, the people of Canada and the European Union have opened a new chapter in their relationship. More than half a billion people on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy new opportunities. For many people, it will mean new jobs and better jobs", said the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. "We have signed two agreements that not only symbolise our commitment to a shared future but also set a common project that will improve the lives of millions of Canadians and Europeans."
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini and Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, as well as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Dion and Minister of International Trade, Chrystia Freeland also attended the summit.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will generate economic growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic and reflects both sides' commitment to free, fair and progressive trade, for the benefit of nearly 550 million EU and Canadian citizens. A Joint interpretative instrument, which further explains and clarifies the provisions of CETA was also adopted by the leaders, and an agreement was reached to work jointly towards the establishment of an independent and impartial multilateral investment court.
The signature of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) lays the foundations for the further strengthening of political dialogue and cooperation between theEuropean Union and Canada. The Agreement will institutionalise and enrich the partnership across a wide range of areas, from foreign and security policy to research and innovation; and from tackling climate change and terrorism to working together in the fields of development cooperation and consular protection.
The European Union and Canada have agreed a Joint Declaration , which illustrates the breadth and depth of the EU-Canada relationship. This covers among others energy ties, cooperation in the Arctic region, ocean governance as well as research, where on 27 October of a research initiative was signed by the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas and the President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Ted Hewitt.
The leaders agreed to advance consultation and coordination on foreign policy issues. The Joint Statement demonstrates the European Union and Canada's consistent and firm collaboration regarding, among other examples, Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.
The Summit took stock of the successful cooperation between EU and Canada in the framework of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and committed to exploring further joint efforts. In this context, the leaders welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations of theAgreement on the exchange of classified information between the EU and Canada and affirmed their continued support to UN peacekeeping efforts and the EU – NATO partnership.