Canada strengthens alliances worldwide, including with the European Union, stated Anita Anand to Euronews, as part of a foreign policy centered on cooperation among middle powers and reducing the country’s economic and security dependence on the United States.
“Throughout the past year, we have signed over 20 security, defense, and economic agreements worldwide, and this is just the beginning,” she declared in the Euronews interview show “12 Minutes With” during a visit to Brussels.
She assured that these relationships are long-lasting and not simply a response to President Donald Trump.
“They will stand the test of time,” Anand affirmed regarding the relations between Canada and the EU.
“The reason is that it is not just a political response. This political response is based on a community of views, common values, and the belief that territorial integrity, state sovereignty, and multilateral trade are essential principles for which we will continue to collectively advocate in the short and long term.”
These statements come days after Canada made history by becoming the first non-European country to participate in a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Yerevan, Armenia.
Regarding this gathering, Anand declared, “We are very excited about continuing to work with Europe, with countries that share our values.”
“We already see it in the SAFE agreement, in the Partnership for Security and Defense, and in CETA [the free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union and its member states].”
In a speech at the EPC summit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Europe would not submit to a “closed, inward, and brutal world” and could instead serve as a basis for rebuilding a new international order.
Earlier this year, in Davos, he had already made headlines by speaking of a “break” in the global governance system dominated by the United States, advocating for middle powers to chart a new path.
“What we need to examine, in my view, is how we can pragmatically work together to bring about economic benefits to our respective countries, as well as defense and security advantages,” Anand continued. “Throughout the past year, we have signed over 20 security, defense, and economic agreements worldwide, and this is just the beginning.”
Some now wonder if the closer ties between Canada and the EU could eventually lead to Canadian membership in the Union, against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with the United States.
Asked whether Ottawa is actively considering this scenario, Anand remained vague: “What we are doing is diversifying our trade relationships and, most importantly, strengthening this middle power approach in a series of areas, whether it be security and defense, economic interests, agriculture and agri-food, artificial intelligence…”
“Decisions on mediation belong to Kyiv”
Canada is also closely aligned with the European Union in its response to the war being waged by Russia in Ukraine.
Anand was in Brussels on Monday, May 11, to co-chair a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
She announced that Canada was sanctioning 23 individuals and five additional entities involved in violations against Ukrainian children, in addition to measures already in place.
Asked about the possibility of Canada participating in future discussions between Brussels and Moscow, Anand firmly stated that decisions about Ukraine’s future belong to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We believe that any mediator chosen must be accepted by Ukraine. We particularly want the ceasefire, to which Zelensky has agreed, to be respected. However, we have seen Russia violate ceasefires, violate commitments, violate international law, and unjustifiably and illegally kill Ukrainians… This is unacceptable.”
