Brussels, 14 June 2021
On Monday 14 June 2021, the leaders of the EU and Canada will hold a summit in Brussels.
The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. High Representative Josep Borrell will also join the meeting.
Canada will be represented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The discussions will be centred around four main pillars: COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery, climate and the environment, trade, digital and innovation and global and regional security.
At the end of the meeting, leaders are expected to adopt a joint statement.
A press conference with Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and Justin Trudeau will take place the following day, on Tuesday 15 June at 9.30 Brussels time.
This is the first EU-Canada summit since 2019. Almost four years after the signature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), this summit aims to give a new impetus to EU-Canada bilateral cooperation.
Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery
Leaders will commit to stepping up multilateral efforts to ensure universal, equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.
In this context, they will reiterate their continued support to the COVAX facility, focusing on low and middle-income countries, and the scaling up of manufacturing capacities to increase and diversify the supply of COVID-19 vaccines.
Leaders will agree to work together to support, reinforce and reform the WHO and strengthen the global health security architecture. Finally, they will commit to steer the global recovery towards green, innovative, inclusive and resilient economies, and will agree to provide immediate financial assistance, address debt vulnerabilities and stimulate increased private investment.
Climate Change
In the framework of the Paris Agreement and the upcoming 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), leaders will stress the need to step up global action and provide more coordinated responses to tackle urgent global challenges on climate change. In addition, leaders will discuss coordinated action against biodiversity loss ahead of this year’s UN Biodiversity Conference (CDB COP15).
Leaders will also commit to stepping up cooperation to combat plastic pollution and to promoting the transition to a sustainable blue economy. A strong focus will be on oceans and sea protection where the two parties will seek to reinforce their cooperation by launching an Ocean Partnership Forum under the EU-Canada Ocean Partnership Declaration.
Trade, technology and innovation
Leaders will reaffirm their strong support for the indispensable role of the WTO in facilitating and safeguarding free, fair and rules-based international trade, and will commit to working together to strengthen and modernize the WTO.
Leaders will also welcome the positive results achieved by CETA, and stress their strong commitment to ensuring its full and effective implementation.
Furthermore, they will commit to continue their cooperation on research and innovation. Leaders, for example, will seek to develop joint initiatives under Horizon Europe, Copernicus and relevant Canadian programmes, with a particular focus on supporting the green and digital transitions.
Space cooperation will also feature in this meeting as leaders are expected to discuss how to continue strengthening exchanges, including satellite navigation services and applications.
EU-CANADA Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) CETA factsheet
Foreign and security policy
Leaders will confirm their commitment to cooperate in promoting international peace and security, defending human rights, gender equality, liberal democracy and the rule of law, and ensuring respect for international law.
In this context, they will agree to advance cooperation (including in the framework of the G7), strengthen EU-Canada partnership in security and defence and support deepening the EU-NATO cooperation.
Leaders will discuss China and Russia, and other key regional issues. They will also reaffirm their determination to strengthen cooperation on Artic matters.