The European Union’s Top Heads Expected to Visit Canada, Discussing Research-Funding Pact
The top heads of the European Union are set to visit Canada this year to discuss the possibility of Ottawa joining a major research-funding pact. Melita Gabric, the EU’s ambassador to Canada, stated that the summit is expected to take place later this year. These summits occur every two years as part of an agreement signed in 2017, and they involve the Canadian prime minister and the top leaders from the bloc of 27 countries.
Gabric mentioned that detailed planning for the visit has not yet begun, but she anticipates that both sides will finalize the details of an agreement that was signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration on various areas, including green vehicles and combating disinformation. Additionally, it places emphasis on the circular economy, such as recycling battery components to contribute to a net-zero economy.
The summit would likely entail visits by von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel to Canada. The timing of the summit has not been confirmed. However, Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, highlighted that the summit will provide an opportunity to assess their support for Ukraine and explore the possibility of Canada joining the Horizon Europe research program. This program has already seen countries like New Zealand and Israel participate in research projects funded by the EU, covering topics such as digital industry, healthcare, and climate innovation.
Negotiations between Ottawa and Brussels began last November regarding Canada’s participation in the program, with the aim of signing an agreement this spring for implementation later this year. Hahn also expressed Europe’s desire to collaborate further with Canada on regulatory, fiscal, and political matters. He stressed the importance of multilateral engagement to strengthen relations between the regions and facilitate cooperation on issues like trade, infrastructure investment, and climate change.
Hahn, who was visiting Canada to promote investment in the EU’s green recovery program from the COVID-19 pandemic, also advocated for increased usage of the euro currency in international transactions. He highlighted the strong credit rating of the European Union, which surpasses that of many member countries, as a positive factor for investors. Hahn oversees Next Generation EU, an economic recovery package designed to benefit both poorer and wealthier countries in Europe, aiding their transition away from fossil fuels.
While Europe looks to Canada for hydrogen in the future, establishing liquefied natural gas exports from Canada is not currently feasible due to the time required to develop export capacity on the country’s East Coast. Hahn noted that hydrogen is of great interest to Europeans, while natural gas is less relevant due to geographical constraints.
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