Arctic issues will be on the agenda when Canadian and European Union leaders meet in Montreal this week, following weeks of signals from Brussels that it wants closer cooperation with Ottawa on the North.
Collaboration on trade, technology, critical raw materials, security, education, research and youth will also be on the agenda.
“The EU and Canada have long been close friends, major partners and strategic allies,” António Costa, president of the European Council, said in a statement.
“Our bond is strong and it is growing stronger. In Montreal, we will take our partnership to the next level by launching our ‘Alliance for the Future’ to deepen our political, economic and institutional ties even further.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with Costa, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at the gathering.
Arctic could be “flagship project” of new partnership
Von der Leyen floated the idea of Canada becoming the first associate member of the EU in a speech on Sept. 16, saying the Arctic would be a “flagship project” in the new partnership.
And when the EU released its updated Arctic strategy on Oct. 20, it described collaboration with Canada as part of an “Alliance for the Future” encompassing everything from critical minerals and ocean monitoring to climate research.
It also outlined a proposed pan-Arctic data cable connecting Europe to Japan and South Korea, that could run through Greenland and Canada.
The public agenda for the Montreal meeting doesn’t specify which areas of Arctic cooperation leaders will discuss this week.
The 21st EU-Canada Summit will take place Oct. 29-30, with a joint statement expected on Friday.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
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