European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss trade, defence, economic security and technological cooperation.

Brussls/Montreal, (Unib Rashid) – The European Union and Canada are set to deepen their political, economic and strategic partnership as their leaders meet in Montreal on 29–30 October for the 21st EU-Canada Summit.

European Council President António Costa will represent the EU alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while Canada will be represented by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The summit is expected to mark a significant milestone in relations between the two partners, with leaders preparing to launch an initiative known as the “Alliance for the Future” to promote shared prosperity, economic security and closer international cooperation.

The proposed framework is expected to include new initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties, expanding economic relations and reinforcing cooperation on global challenges.

🇪🇺-🇨🇦 The 21st #EUCanada summit takes place in Montreal on 29–30 October.The EU and Canada are expected to launch an alliance for the future to deepen their strategic partnership and strengthen cooperation amid geopolitical and economic change.🔗 https://t.co/Ul3T8PFMiG https://t.co/G0UpVvBDmS

— EU Council (@EUCouncil) October 29, 2026

Trade, defence and economic security on the agenda

Leaders are expected to discuss a broad range of issues, including trade, digital technologies, critical raw materials, defence, security, education, research, innovation and youth cooperation.

The discussions will build on the EU and Canada’s longstanding partnership, which has expanded in recent years through closer economic ties, defence cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Ahead of the summit, António Costa described the EU and Canada as close friends, major partners and strategic allies. He said their relationship was continuing to grow stronger and expressed confidence that the new alliance would take political, economic and institutional ties to a higher level.

Building on progress since the 2025 summit

The Montreal meeting will also review progress made since the previous EU-Canada summit in 2025, when the two sides launched a Security and Defence Partnership.

Since then, cooperation has expanded in several areas, including trade under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), defence investment and Canada’s participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.

The partners have also strengthened dialogue on competitiveness, economic security, supply chains and consular cooperation, while advancing collaboration in digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

In December 2025, the EU and Canada also brought into force a mutual recognition agreement covering architects’ professional qualifications, facilitating professional recognition between the two sides.

Cooperation on global challenges

The summit comes amid wider efforts by the EU and Canada to strengthen multilateral cooperation and uphold the international rules-based order.

In September 2026, the two partners co-sponsored the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) initiative during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, alongside Australia, Barbados, Brazil, India and Kenya.

The initiative reaffirmed support for international law, the UN Charter and a multilateral system capable of responding more effectively to global challenges. Participating countries also committed to working together to reform and strengthen international institutions through dialogue, coordination and practical cooperation.

The EU and Canada have additionally maintained close coordination with G7 partners in supporting Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, including efforts concerning sanctions enforcement and export controls.

Strong economic foundations

Relations between the EU and Canada are underpinned by two major agreements signed in 2016: the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

CETA, which entered into provisional application in September 2017, removed tariffs on 98% of tariff lines and provides for the gradual elimination of almost all remaining tariffs. The agreement has helped facilitate trade and investment between the two economies.

Defence cooperation has also become an increasingly important part of the relationship. Canada is the only non-European country participating in the EU’s SAFE initiative, a €150 billion instrument designed to support defence investment by member states through joint procurement.

An agreement concluded in 2026 allows Canadian defence companies and products to participate in member states’ procurement under SAFE.

Beyond trade and security, the partners cooperate on climate change, environmental protection, science and technological development. Their EU-Canada Green Alliance was established in 2023, while Canada became associated with the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme in July 2024. The two sides also launched a digital partnership in November 2023.

Business and diplomatic engagements

The summit programme includes several public engagements in Montreal.

On Thursday, 29 October, President Costa is scheduled to participate in an event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations at 11:30 local time. At 14:00, he will attend the Canada-EU Business Forum alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney and President von der Leyen.

A joint press conference featuring the Canadian prime minister and the two EU presidents is scheduled for Friday, 30 October, at 12:15 local time.

The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to translate their shared priorities into practical initiatives, strengthen economic and security cooperation, and reinforce their commitment to democracy, human rights, free and fair trade, and effective multilateralism.