EU, Canada Strengthen Defense Ties

(MENAFN) Leaders from the European Union and Canada convened in Brussels on Monday for the EU-Canada Summit, marking a pivotal development in transatlantic ties through the endorsement of a wide-ranging security and defense collaboration accord.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, reaffirming a mutual pledge to enhance strategic bonds between the two sides.

The freshly endorsed EU-Canada Security and Defense Partnership was officially concluded by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Defense Minister David J. McGuinty, along with the EU's foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas.

"This summit is much more than a symbolic milestone. It is a powerful political statement," declared Costa during a media briefing.

He highlighted the agreement’s importance in bolstering transatlantic protection, fostering industrial synergy, and equipping both parties to face evolving defense challenges.

"We will take our strategic relationship to an unprecedented level of closeness. That is why today's summit marks a turning point in our history," he further noted.

Von der Leyen hailed the deal as "a huge step forward," pointing out that Canada would shortly initiate discussions on joining SAFE, the EU’s collective military acquisition framework.

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