When Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to Brussels later this month, according to officials from the European Union, Canada is likely to sign a defense procurement agreement with the continent. Carney is set to visit the administrative capital of the European Union on June 23 for the Canada-EU summit, where he will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
Both EU leaders stated on Sunday at the G7 summit in Alberta that Canada’s involvement in Europe’s defense architecture is expected to grow. Canada, according to Von der Leyen, will enter into a security and defense partnership with the EU, which will enable it to participate in a European loan program for joint defense projects. “Canada is a key partner in our transatlantic alliance. Additionally, Costa stated, “We are looking forward to the upcoming summit between the European Union and Canada that we will be hosting in two weeks in Brussels with a great deal of interest.” According to Von der Leyen, “this is also a moment when we can strengthen Canada’s role in Europe’s rapidly evolving defense architecture.” Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, is the name of the 150 billion euro program. Van der Leyen stated that the SAFE program can be joined by Europe’s “very close allies, friends, and partners,” and the deal this month will allow for negotiations on bringing Canada into the program. Carney has stated that he wants Canada to join the ReArm Europe initiative. As the United States, Ottawa has been seeking a defense partnership with the European Union. Trump maintains his skepticism regarding the NATO military alliance’s future. Analysts have characterized Trump’s claim that Washington will not always defend NATO allies as a threat that undermines the alliance’s entire purpose.
Canada to sign defence procurement pact with EU: officials
