Canada and Finland today issued the following statement:
"Recognizing their long history of friendship, like-mindedness, and close bilateral cooperation, Canada and Finland are establishing a foreign and security policy strategic partnership that reflects their mutual priorities and the evolving geopolitical landscape.
"This deepening partnership between Canada and Finland is anchored in common democratic values, shared interests in the North Atlantic and the Arctic regions, and a firm commitment to transatlantic security, the rules-based international order, multilateral cooperation, international law, democracy, human rights, climate goals, and open and free trade.
"Building on the momentum of the 2022 Joint Statement on Bilateral Cooperation and on Canada's commitment in its 2024 Arctic Foreign Policy to enhance cooperation with Finland as a close Nordic ally, Canada and Finland are advancing their collaboration in foreign and security policy. In response to the shifting geopolitical, security, and economic environment, both countries are enhancing their foreign and security policy dialogue at both political and working levels, with regular consultations and high-level engagement remaining central to this effort.
"Canada and Finland, as close NATO Allies, are firmly committed to deepening cooperation within the Alliance. Strengthening NATO's collective deterrence and defence remains a shared and unwavering priority. Canada's ongoing leadership in NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia plays a vital role in promoting a safer and more secure Baltic Sea Region.
"Finland and Canada remain committed to ensuring Arctic and Northern perspectives are considered in NATO activities, where relevant. Both countries are also advancing dialogue within the Arctic Seven (A7), viewing it as a valuable platform for promoting these priorities within NATO. Canada and Finland are also working together to strengthen NATO's approach to security and operations by advancing cross-cutting priorities, including Women, Peace and Security and climate security.
"To better address shared security challenges, Canada and Finland will intensify bilateral cooperation and dialogue across the full spectrum of security and defence issues. This includes a strong focus on comprehensive security, Arctic security; maritime security, particularly addressing risks posed by Russia's shadow fleet; hybrid threats; and cyber challenges. Both countries are committed to building a shared understanding of common threats and to working closely together to address evolving security challenges in a coordinated and forward-looking manner.
"The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union and its Member States, as well as the Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and Canada, provide an important and robust framework that underpins and enhances the bilateral relationship between Canada and Finland.
"Finland and Canada recognize that the transatlantic relationship is a cornerstone of their collective security and reaffirm their commitment to deepening collaboration in order to further strengthen this vital bond. Both countries continue to promote closer relations and enhanced cooperation between the European Union and Canada, with Canada recognized as a steadfast and strategic partner for the European Union. Canada and Finland are prioritizing the effective implementation of key joint initiatives, including the Security and Defence Partnership, the European Union-Canada Green Alliance, the European Union-Canada Economic Security Dialogue, the Canada-European Union Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials, and the European Union-Canada Digital Partnership.
"Canada and Finland are committed to fully leveraging the potential of CETA. Both countries also commit to raising awareness of the positive impacts and opportunities that CETA continues to deliver for both countries, while also highlighting its potential to further deepen bilateral economic relations.
"Canada and Finland strongly condemn Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the UN Charter. Both countries reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and are committed to deepening cooperation in support to Ukraine. Both countries emphasize the importance of sustained and close cooperation between the European Union and Canada, including through the G7 framework, on sanctions policy, including the sharing of expertise, implementation, and efforts to counter sanctions evasion and circumvention.
"Canada and Finland are committed to ensuring comprehensive, long-term international support for Ukraine's reconstruction. Both countries actively support Ukraine's urgent efforts to replace damaged energy infrastructure and its longer-term reconstruction of the energy sector, including to promote safe, secure nuclear operations in Ukraine through the International Atomic Energy Agency. Finland continues to support and participate in the international coalition led by Canada and Ukraine for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Canada and Finland also remain committed to close cooperation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
"Canada and Finland are actively intensifying their cooperation and exchange of information on the G7 agenda, reflecting their strong alignment on key priorities. Both countries are committed to building on this alignment to advance shared goals. Canada and Finland underscore the importance of the Shadow Fleet Task Force and commit to working together to enhance monitoring and detection and to otherwise constrain the use of shadow fleets engaged in illegal, unsafe, or environmentally perilous activities, building on and reinforcing the efforts of others active in this area.
"Building on their strong expertise, shared interests, deep connections, and long-standing cooperation on Arctic issues, Canada and Finland reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Arctic. Both countries will actively work to maintain and enhance situational awareness to strengthen Arctic security.
"Canada and Finland are firmly committed to the concrete implementation of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) announced in July 2024 and are actively working together with the United States on the production of Arctic and polar icebreakers and other related capabilities. This trilateral initiative is a shared priority and landmark effort aimed at advancing Arctic and polar icebreaker development by combining collective knowledge, resources, and expertise. It also deepens our long-standing maritime industrial cooperation and contributes to bolstering Arctic security in the long term.
"Canada, as highlighted in its 2024 Arctic Foreign Policy, and Finland continue to underscore the central role of the Arctic Council as the pre-eminent forum for Arctic governance and cooperation on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection. Additionally, both countries remain firmly committed to advancing the rights and well-being of Arctic Indigenous Peoples and northern communities and are actively working to ensure that Arctic voices and perspectives are reflected in all relevant regional and international efforts.
"Canada and Finland are deeply concerned over the dramatic impact that climate change continues to have on the Arctic and beyond. Both countries are actively collaborating on climate and environmental initiatives to better understand, mitigate, and adapt to the implications of a rapidly changing Arctic and North. Recognizing the significance of our countries' respective commitments to net-zero and carbon neutrality, and given pressing energy security challenges, Canada and Finland affirm their shared interest in improved trade and investment in clean technologies.
"Canada and Finland reaffirm their strong and ongoing commitment to upholding the international rules-based order with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at its core. Both countries are actively exploring opportunities for joint action to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and are working jointly in international fora, including related to the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council, to address threats to international security and human rights. Finland continues to support Canada's Initiative Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, reinforcing their shared dedication to advancing international justice and accountability.
"Canada and Finland are elevating economic security as a key area of bilateral cooperation and will integrate it as a new focus area in their ongoing bilateral dialogues. Both countries remain firmly committed to upholding and strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Canada and Finland are actively working to facilitate trade and investment between their economies and intend to continue to work together to advance meaningful WTO reform.
"Canada and Finland continue to strengthen their bilateral trade and investment relationship, which has seen positive momentum under CETA. Both countries are committed to expanding collaboration in strategic sectors of mutual interest, including forestry and the bioeconomy, the maritime industry, sustainable mining, critical minerals and clean fuels, and advanced technologies such as AI for defence and dual-use applications. Building on successful past cooperation, Finland will further strengthen its economic cooperation with Canadian provinces and territories by developing new partnerships.
"To capitalize on the strong interest in science and research institutions in both countries, Canada and Finland will intensify cooperation in science and research diplomacy, including responsible science and Arctic science and research. Both countries will work together to advance funding opportunities, including through NordForsk and Horizon Europe funding programmes.
"Canada and Finland continue to emphasize the importance of people-to-people contacts as a foundation of their bilateral relationship. In this spirit, both countries are actively promoting the implementation of the Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Finland, which entered into force in March 2024. This agreement serves as a key mechanism for enhancing exchanges between Finnish and Canadian citizens.
"Canada and Finland are committed to elevating their bilateral relationship to a more ambitious and strategic level. Both countries are actively implementing concrete initiatives to support the implementation of this Strategic Partnership. Guided by a shared vision, Canada and Finland intend to expand the scope of this partnership to include a broader range of cooperative activities in the future."
