EU-Canada leaders’ meeting via video conference, 29 October 2020

Summary:

A videoconference between leaders of the European Union (EU) and Canada was held on 29 October 2020.

Further information:

Leaders highlighted their determination to fight the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic together. They underlined the twofold goal of protecting citizens' health and ensuring an innovative, sustainable and inclusive economic recovery. Leaders also highlighted EU-Canada cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests. They discussed ways to strengthen global pandemic preparedness and responses, and to strengthen and reform WHO.

Leaders celebrated the third anniversary of the provisional entry into force of the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). They agreed to continue working together to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) in order to protect and strengthen the multilateral rules-based trading system. Leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to reach a global and consensus-based solution on a fair, sustainable, and modern international tax system. Leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Leaders underlined their strongly convergent views on a range of foreign policy and security issues. Leaders emphasised the importance of strong transatlantic relations and the need to uphold the international rules-based system.

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: EU-Canada leaders' meeting via video conference, 29 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2020/10/29/

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, following the EU-Canada Leaders' meeting via videoconference https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_2007

European Commission: Joint press release: EU-Canada Leaders' Virtual Meeting https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2009

European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the EU-Canada Leaders' meeting via videoconference https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/29/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-eu-canada-leaders-meeting-via-videoconference/

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