Canadian Prime Minister welcomes EU proposal to grant Canada "partner country" status
Brussels, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed on Thursday the European Union’s proposal to grant Canada the status of “partner member” in the bloc, affirming that Canada and the EU “are stronger together” and calling for enhanced partnership and expanded cooperation in defense, energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and digital trade.
Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Carney said Canada “welcomes this ambition,” referring to the proposal put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. He added that “Canada and Europe should strengthen their strategic autonomy through deep cooperation across various strategic capabilities.”
He noted that Europe and Canada “are strong individually and stronger together,” emphasizing that the goal is not to create a third bloc to compete with major powers, but to bolster resilience and protect prosperity, sovereignty, freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.
“We are not just allies in times of prosperity,” Carney said, adding that “our prosperity grows when we share it” and that the objective is not self-sufficiency, but “collective resilience.”
He clarified that Canada seeks to deepen its ties with the EU in areas such as critical minerals, defense industrial capabilities, artificial intelligence, computing, energy security, space, financial services, payment systems, and digital trade.
For her part, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola underscored the depth of the friendship between Europe and Canada, noting that these relations are “rooted in the history that shaped our identity.” Speaking at a joint press conference with Carney, Metsola said both sides are working to “open new horizons” by expanding their alliance to enhance trade, protect communities, and improve citizens’ lives, affirming that “together we are stronger.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday evening to take measures against the EU if it proceeds with the proposal to grant Canada “partner member” status in the bloc, describing the proposal as “laughable.” (End) A.R.N. / M.N.F.
