BRUSSELS: European and Canadian parliamentarians will meet in Brussels and Antwerp next week to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and cooperation on critical minerals and technology, and responding to growing security threats and economic coercion.
The two-day meeting, scheduled for November 9 and 10, will bring together Canadian lawmakers and members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Canada for the 44th EU-Canada Interparliamentary Meeting.
The gathering follows the EU-Canada summit held in Montreal on October 29-30, where leaders launched the Alliance for the Future and committed to developing a framework for an even closer partnership between the two sides.
The parliamentary discussions will provide an opportunity to assess the summit’s outcomes and examine how lawmakers can contribute to the evolving relationship.
The first day’s agenda in Brussels will focus on cooperation in response to growing security threats and economic coercion, as well as the role of middle powers in an increasingly uncertain international order.
Lawmakers will also discuss cooperation on strategic resources and emerging technologies, including critical minerals, green energy and digital sovereignty.
The discussions come as both sides seek to strengthen economic resilience and reduce vulnerabilities in strategic supply chains.
The second day, in Antwerp, will focus on trade and economic relations, including a visit to the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe’s major maritime and logistics hubs.
The programme will also include a public event organised jointly with the Mission of Canada to the European Union and the Canada-EU Trade and Investment Association.
The Canadian delegation will include James Maloney, chair of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, along with Senator Brian Francis, Senator Manuelle Oudar, and Members of Parliament Sima Acan, Dominique Vien and Tim Uppal.
The delegation includes representatives of both Canada’s Liberal and Conservative parties, alongside independent and progressive senators.
The meeting is expected to provide a parliamentary platform for translating the political commitments made at the Montreal summit into closer institutional, economic and strategic cooperation.
The Brussels sessions will take place at the European Parliament on November 9, while the second day’s programme will move to Antwerp. The meetings will not be livestreamed.
