Recommendation on enhanced EU-Canada cooperation in the light of the current geopolitical context, including the threats to Canada’s economic stability and sovereignty
The European Parliament adopted, by 482 votes to 108, with 42 abstentions, a recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning an enhanced EU-Canada cooperation in the light of the current geopolitical context, including the threats to Canada’s economic stability and sovereignty.
The EU-Canada partnership: institutional framework
Parliament called for seizing this moment of rupture in the international order and shared challenges to fully exploit the potential of the EU-Canada strategic partnership. It recommended intensifying dialogues at multiple levels, including summits and joint initiatives such as trade and investment missions, as well as long-term cooperation formats, to deepen cooperation and jointly address global challenges such as AI, energy, climate change, and cybersecurity, particularly at a time when the rules-based international order is under increasing pressure.
Cooperation in foreign and security policy
Parliament made the following recommendations:
- strengthen cooperation with Canada to address security threats, such as Russia's war against Ukraine, hybrid attacks, terrorism and interference in democratic societies on both sides of the Atlantic, China's assertiveness and economic coercion, US retreat from the rules-based international order, the consequences of climate change, AI, cybersecurity and the situation in the Middle East;
- establish a roadmap to ensure the full implementation of commitments made in the security and defence partnership and to integrate Canada, as far as possible, into the EU's defence industrial and technological base;
- encourage continued cooperation in key areas in order to stimulate drone -related production in synergy with EU industrial and technological initiatives;
- develop coordination and cooperation in key areas such as crisis management, peacekeeping, military mobility, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, space security, energy security, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, including quantum computing, in order to jointly develop key capabilities;
- defend multilateralism and strengthen cooperation between the EU and Canada inside and outside multilateral forums by coordinating positions, aligning initiatives and working together to defend shared values.
Parliament stressed the unwavering support of the Union and Canada for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as their cooperation and joint commitment to provide long-term political, military, financial and humanitarian assistance, including through the G7 and the coalition of willing countries.
Cooperation on the Arctic
Underlining the strategic importance of the Arctic region for both the EU and Canada, Parliament called for enhanced cooperation between the EU and Canada in the Arctic, including in the areas of sustainable economic development, freedom of navigation and maritime security, military cooperation, scientific research, and environmental monitoring and protection. Given the increasing militarisation of the Arctic, it is crucial to work with Canada and the United States to preserve the Arctic as a region of peace and stability.
Parliament has recommended:
- encouraging the establishment of a specific EU-Canada cooperation framework for the Arctic in order to promote a joint assessment of the situation and the protection of infrastructure, to address climate and environmental challenges and to protect the interests, rights and heritage of Arctic communities and Indigenous peoples;
- strengthening EU-Canada cooperation on Arctic security, including: (i) by jointly monitoring strategic maritime corridors, (ii) by establishing joint early warning systems and joint threat assessments, (iii) by addressing hybrid and conventional threats, such as cyberattacks, GPS interference and ghost fleet operations, and (iv) by safeguarding critical Arctic infrastructure, including submarine cables, gas pipelines and communication systems;
- supporting efforts to strengthen resilience to potential pressure from the activities of China and other actors that do not prioritise sustainable and rules-based extraction.
Trade in goods and services, digital trade, investment and economic security
Parliament recommended promoting the benefits of CETA within the EU and Member States, including better market access, simplified trade and reduced administrative barriers for SMEs, and starting negotiations without delay on an ambitious standalone digital trade agreement to complement CETA, which must respect the horizontal provisions on cross-border data flows and personal data protection in EU trade and investment agreement.
It should be acknowledged that CETA has made a significant contribution to the diversification and resilience of EU and Canadian supply chains, as well as to increased EU imports of critical raw materials from Canada. Members recommended ensuring the continued development of joint projects under the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials.
Lastly, Parliament suggested that the commitment to deepen cooperation in areas such as people-to-people ties, culture, youth, support for inclusive policies and the EU-Canada digital partnership framework should be acted upon swiftly.
In conclusion, Parliament recommended pursuing the establishment of a genuine strategic partnership with Canada, based on trust, shared principles and values rooted in international law and democracy.