Prime Minister Carney to strengthen Canada's ties with European partners in visit to Strasbourg and Liverpool

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- In a rapidly changing world, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control. We are building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad. Our European allies are natural partners in this effort. We are bound by shared history, values, and increasingly shared interests and ambitions. Canada and our European partners are working together to create greater certainty, security, and prosperity for our peoples. 

To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, will travel to Strasbourg, France, and Liverpool, United Kingdom (UK), from September 15 to September 17, 2026.

In Strasbourg, the Prime Minister will address the European Parliament at the invitation of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. He will also attend President von der Leyen's State of the European Union (EU) address and meet with members of the European Parliament to strengthen Canada's ties with the EU in trade, investment, and security.

In Liverpool, the Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, for the first time. Together, the leaders will discuss priorities for the Canada-UK relationship, specifically related to defence and security, energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Since forming government, Prime Minister Carney has strengthened and expanded Canada's relationship with our European partners. Last year, we launched the ambitious New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and the Security and Defence Partnership to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, energy, and security. In February, Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative – unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars in opportunities and market access for Canadian defence industries, businesses, and workers. In May, the Prime Minister became the first non-European leader to participate in the European Political Community Summit, in Armenia – another example of Canada's growing role as a trusted partner to Europe. Canada will build on this momentum when we host the upcoming Canada-EU Summit from October 29 to 30, 2026.

Quote
"In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada and our European partners are moving ever closer. Our shared values, complementary strengths, and common interests serve as the strong foundation on which we can build a stronger future. Together, Canada and our European partners have the ambition and strength to create a more just, stable, and universally prosperous world."
-- The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick facts

• The EU is Canada's second‑largest global trading partner for goods and services, with a total value of approximately $178 billion in 2025.
• The EU is Canada's second‑largest global source of foreign direct investment (FDI), after the United States. EU FDI stock in Canada was estimated at $217 billion in 2025, while Canadian direct investment in the EU totalled $315 billion.
• In June 2025, at the 20^th Canada-EU Summit, Canada and the EU launched the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future, a framework that promotes collaboration in key areas such as digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.
• At the 2025 Canada-EU Summit, Canada and the EU also signed the EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). The SDP is a non-legally binding partnership that reaffirms and regroups our security and defence activities with EU Member States under a single political framework.
• Canada officially joined the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative on the margins of the Munich Security Conference in February 2026. SAFE is a key pillar of the EU's Readiness 2030 plan, and Canada's participation in SAFE will enhance defence readiness on both sides of the Atlantic.

Associated link

• Canada and the European Union

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office