Brussels, 17 May 2022
The third meeting of the EU-Canada Joint Ministerial Committee took place in Brussels on 16 May 2022 and was chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. It reaffirmed the unique and vibrant nature of the EU-Canada partnership, grounded in shared values and extensive historical, cultural, political and economic ties, and discussed ways to further deepen it. The Committee adopted a joint statement.
Canada is one of the European Union’s closest and most reliable partners. As we mark the fifth anniversary of the provisional application of the EU – Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement, we work together as closely as ever to promote a rules-based international order, grounded in common values and international law. This is reflected by our united response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified invasion of Ukraine and our unwavering support to Ukraine and its people. The EU and Canada are also working together to address the global consequences of the war, in areas such as energy and food insecurity as well as support and uptake of refugees. With a robust institutional framework in place – the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic Agreement (CETA) – the EU and Canada cooperation is solid and brings tangible benefits to both our citizens.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Today, not only do Canada and the European Union share a common history, strong cultural and commercial ties, but we are closer than we have been in decades. And it is through strong partnerships, such as Canada’s with the European Union, that we will be able to deal decisively with the complexities of the modern world in which we live.
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
EU-Canada bilateral relationship
Five years after the provisional application of the strategic partnership agreement, on 1 April 2017, the Joint Ministerial Committee took stock of the overall relationship and discussed ways to deepen it further.
Peace and Security
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) discussed the EU and Canada’s united front against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including through the coordination of hard-hitting sanctions and by providing political, financial, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. It also explored ways to collectively address food insecurity and global food shortages exacerbated by the war and agreed that the EU and Canada would work together on the issue particularly in the framework of the G7 New Global Food Security Alliance and the UN Global Crisis Response Group.
The JMC also had an exchange on key foreign policy priorities such as China and the Indo-pacific, the situation in Afghanistan and the Sahel, as well as EU and Canada cooperation in Latin America and in the Arctic.
In the current critical security environment, the Joint Ministerial Committee discussed ways to strengthen security and defence cooperation within the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects and expand bilateral cooperation in conflict prevention and mediation, Women Peace and Security and Climate and Security. The JMC also acknowledged the importance of further strengthening the mutually reinforcing and beneficial EU-NATO partnership, while fully respecting the principles of inclusiveness, reciprocity and autonomy of decision-making.
The JMC also discussed the potential of more cooperation on crisis management and announced the intent of Canada to pursue an administrative arrangement with the EU on Civil Protection.
Human Rights and Democracy
In the area of Human Rights and Democracy, the Joint Ministerial Committee announced the EU’s intention to support Canada’s Partnership Action plan against Arbitrary Detentions, on a voluntary basis, through research in order to shed light on this unacceptable practice. Both sides discussed further cooperation against foreign information manipulation, including disinformation where the EU and Canada intend to co-lead efforts within the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism towards the development of international norms, through a series of expert tables over the course of 2022.
Energy, Research & Innovation and Space.
On Energy security, the JMC highlighted the work that had begun under the working group on green transition and LNG under the High Level Energy Dialogue, which was announced by Commission President von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on 23 March 2022.
The JMC also celebrated the deepening of cooperation in the field of science, technology, research and innovation where the EU and Canada will start preparing for negotiations on the potential association of Canada to the Horizon Europe Programme, which would put Canada on an equal footing with EU Member States and Association Countries.
The JMC also welcomed the signature today of a cooperation arrangement between the Canadian Space Agency and the European Commission to pursue Earth observation activities in a number of areas of common interest through sharing satellite data on the basis of reciprocity.
- Joint Statement by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Trudeau, 23 March 2022
- Delegation of the European Union to Canada
- Factsheet EU – Canada relations
- EU-Canada joint ministerial committee meeting, 04/12/2017
- Joint Declaration of the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement Joint Ministerial Committee, 6 November 2018
Meeting information
- Meeting n°EUCA-JC-160522
- Brussels
- 16 May 2022
- 08:45
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