"Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Anita Anand, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, met in Niagara for the fourth Canada-European Union (EU) Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) to advance the Canada-EU relationship and review progress made since the 20th Canada-EU Summit of 23 June 2025.
"Nearly a decade into the provisional application of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), cooperation has deepened across the full spectrum of our partnership, including international peace, security and defence, economic resilience, digital innovation, green transition, and people-to-people ties. Building on the Canada-EU Summit, which saw the signing of the landmark Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) and the new Canada-EU Strategic Partnership of the Future, the JMC highlighted that our cooperation remains a cornerstone of stability, resilience, and prosperity across the Atlantic at a time when our shared values are under pressure.
"The 20th Canada-EU Summit pursued action-oriented initiatives to deliver tangible economic benefits for Canadian and EU citizens, reinforce collective security, and support a safer, greener, more prosperous and inclusive world. The JMC welcomed the nomination of the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada to the EU, the Honourable John Hannaford, and the significant progress on the Summit outcomes, including efforts to:
- Create opportunities for increasing defence industrial cooperation, including through negotiations towards a bilateral agreement that defines the terms for participation of Canada's defence industry in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and taking into account the objective set by the European Council of 23 October.
- Engage in closer collaboration in addressing transatlantic security challenges, including through greater NATO-EU cooperation.
- Further cooperate in support of Ukraine.
- Respond more effectively to humanitarian crises and facilitate coordination through the signature of a humanitarian administrative arrangement.
- Successfully extend the secondment of a Canadian expert to the EU mission in Armenia (EUMA).
- Explore options towards an administrative arrangement between Canada and the European Defence Agency (EDA).
- Following exploratory discussions, continue working towards a Digital Trade Agreement that will complement CETA and unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs on both sides of the Atlantic by bringing our preferential trade partnership into the digital domain.
- Continue the existing cooperation on nuclear technologies, including fuels and fuel cycle services, through the negotiation of a modernized and comprehensive Canada-Euratom Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
- Cooperate more closely and explore options to work together on more resilient, diversified, reliable energy supply chains, including clean tech value chains and LNG, in view of increasing bilateral trade and strengthening energy security.
- Advance our collaboration in the EU-Canada Economic Security Dialogue.
- Launch the EU - Canada Industrial Policy Dialogue to boost industrial and supply chain cooperation in strategic sectors.
- Accelerate and expand, against the backdrop of the current geopolitical challenges, the EU-Canada raw materials value chains, including rare earths and rare earth magnets, via the effective implementation of the Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials.
- Advance cooperation in digital matters and organize the first meeting of the Digital Partnership Council.
- Start discussions on possible cooperation between Eurojust, Europol and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the Canadian authorities.
- Promote joint collaboration in Horizon Europe on global challenges.
"The JMC reaffirmed Canada and the EU's unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and security worldwide. The new Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership facilitates joint action in multiple domains to enhance regional and global security. Canada and the EU are taking steps to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, cyber, countering hybrid threats and strengthening preparedness, addressing the climate and security nexus and closer collaboration in missions and operations. The JMC welcomed the early progress made regarding defence cooperation and reaffirmed the EU's and Canada's commitment to pursue further opportunities, including for our defence industries, recognizing that stronger cooperation will contribute to our mutual security in complementarity with NATO, in line with agreed principles. Canada and the EU look forward to the next Security and Defence Dialogue to chart the next steps in the Security and Defence Partnership.
"Canada and the EU reaffirm their continued and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Canada and the EU continue to call on Russia to stop its war of aggression against Ukraine, respect international humanitarian law and pursue a path of diplomacy and dialogue. We reiterate that active diplomacy and a full and unconditional ceasefire are first key steps to engage in meaningful negotiations towards comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. There is no path to peace without Ukraine. Furthermore, the EU and Canada deeply appreciate and support the diplomatic efforts of the President of the United States of America. In addition, Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Canada and the EU are playing an active role, including as part of the Coalition of the Willing. Canada and the EU continue to work with likeminded partners to pursue accountability for violations of international law in Ukraine and will continue supporting efforts towards the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an International Claims Commission for Ukraine within the framework of the Council of Europe. Russia must pay for the damage caused by its illegal actions to Ukraine and its people. We remain committed to supporting the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children co-chaired by Ukraine and Canada, and we reiterate our urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe return of all unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children. Canada and the EU also strongly condemn the support of the Belarusian regime and other enabling countries in the aggression against Ukraine.
"Canada and the EU stand resolutely together and will continue to respond decisively to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, by aligning hard-hitting sanctions on Russia and those enabling the war. These measures will be reinforced by providing the necessary support to Ukraine and its people. In this context, Canada and the EU reaffirm their commitment to continue their work including at the G7 level to impose severe costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls and other effective measures including further measures to counter and disrupt the Russian shadow fleet, which poses significant environmental and security risks. Canada and the EU will continue to develop a wide range of options to address Ukraine's financing needs and to ensure that Russia cannot wait it out. Our action will remain consistent with our respective legal frameworks. The JMC reaffirmed our readiness to contribute to the post-war recovery and rehabilitation of Ukraine, including through the Ukraine Donor Platform, as well as our commitment to work to alleviate the impact of Russia's war on global food security and freedom of navigation. The JMC also highlighted enhanced cooperation in security domains such as cyber and hybrid threats, and welcomed efforts to pursue joint initiatives in defence procurement and technology development. All military support for Ukraine will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policies of certain Member States, and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States and Canada.
"Furthermore, we are committed to support the Republic of Moldova, reaffirming our continued support for the Republic of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity, enhancing the country's resilience in dealing with the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the hybrid activities by Russia to undermine Moldova. We commend the authorities of the Republic of Moldova for their firm commitment to and effective measures for safeguarding the integrity of the recent electoral process and for ensuring free and fair elections, despite sustained hybrid activities carried out by Russia and its proxies to undermine the country's democratic institutions.
"Canada and the EU welcome the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump, as well as the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace held on 13 October 2025. We commend the tireless diplomatic efforts led by the United States and the role played by regional mediators and reaffirm our strong and continued support for ongoing negotiations. The EU and Canada welcome the release of all living hostages who were held for two years by Hamas and call for the return without further delay of the remaining deceased hostages. We urge all parties to fully commit to implementing all phases and to refrain from any actions that jeopardise the agreement. The agreement to resume humanitarian access is also vitally important, and must be implemented in full, including immediate, unimpeded delivery, access and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid at scale into and throughout Gaza, through land routes, supplemented by sea routes, and for the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, to be able to work independently and impartially. We also reaffirm our commitment to contribute to the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. We will continue to support the Palestinian Authority, including its ongoing and necessary reform and with a view to its return to Gaza, and also through the Palestine Donor Group. The EU and Canada affirm that there must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. Canada and the EU remain united in support of a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, grounded in mutual recognition and respect for international law, and the realization of the two-state solution. We are steadfastly committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, recalling also the High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York co-led by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We stress the importance of de-escalation in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and call for an end to settler violence, including against Christian communities, to the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, to Israel's military operation and to terrorist attacks against Israel. The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law.
"Canada and the EU reaffirmed their determination to foster trade and sustainable economic development to the benefit of all those living in the Arctic; and to address the impacts of climate change on the Arctic's people, environment, and economy, including the youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. Other areas of cooperation include security, environmental protection, regional development and sustainable management of fisheries. In recent years the Arctic region no longer is insulated from strategic competition and tensions. The Arctic must remain a region of peace, stability, and cooperation, with activities conducted in accordance with international law. Canada and the EU also stress the importance of transatlantic cooperation in ensuring security and stability in the Arctic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, and other maritime areas.
"The JMC further recognized the importance of enhancing cooperation to maintain a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific given the region's importance to global stability and economic security. The JMC emphasised the importance of close consultation and cooperation in relation to challenges in the region, guided by the respect of international law, including UNCLOS, and by shared values and interests, aiming at coherence and impact.
"The EU and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Haitian and international efforts to restore security and democratic governance in Haiti, to address urgent humanitarian needs, and to contribute to a more stable and secure Caribbean region.
"The EU and Canada underline the importance of joint efforts to promote peace, stability, and resilience in other regions of shared interest, including the Western Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa, the South Caucasus, and beyond, reaffirming their close coordination and mutual commitment to advancing security and sustainable development.
"Canada and the EU underscored their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) through international coordination mechanisms such as the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM). The JMC underscored the importance of coordinated responses, including measures that raise the cost for malign actors, joint attributions when appropriate and public statements that shine light on these activities and help build international norms.
"The JMC reaffirmed Canada and the EU's shared commitment to our shared values, democracy and human rights, and effective multilateral cooperation, with the United Nations at its core, that are foundational to our security and prosperity globally. Canada and the EU stressed the urgent need to defend and reinforce the international rules-based order, based on international law and the universal principles of the UN Charter. They committed to supporting and contributing to the Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative to make the UN more effective, efficient, accountable and fit for purpose. They also recognized that strong multilateral institutions remain vital for addressing global challenges, from climate change to conflict prevention, and underpin all our prosperity. They committed to standing united in promoting accountability for violations of international law, and protecting civic space. The JMC underscored that Canada and the EU will continue to champion universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, both at home and abroad, as pillars of resilience against authoritarianism and all forms of extremism and as essential to building a more inclusive and secure international system.
"Canada and the EU emphasized that open, rules-based trade and inclusive economic growth thrive best in democratic societies, where transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law create the conditions for shared prosperity. The JMC highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the EU and Canada in the World Trade Organization (WTO), where both sides are committed to working together to stabilize and strengthen the rules-based international trading system, including a successful MC14 that supports predictability and fair competition. The EU and Canada should continue their cooperation to modernize the WTO and revitalize its dispute settlement system including through the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA).
"Canada and the EU recognized the existential threat of the interdependent crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification and pollution and agreed to continue working closely in multilateral fora such as the UNFCCC, the CBD, the UNCCD, the G7/G20 and others to address these crises. Bilaterally, they reiterated the EU-Canada Green Alliance as their steadfast, joint commitment to ambitious climate action, environmental and ocean protection, and clean energy transition on the global stage.
"Canada and the EU expressed their commitment to further advancing the initiatives announced at this year's Summit, and reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen their robust and enduring partnership."
