Hello, everyone.

Thank you for joining us.

We just took part together in a very productive summit with our European partners.

It’s always such a pleasure to speak with President Michel and President von der Leyen. As friends and allies, Canada and Europe have shared priorities. More than ever, we need to continue to work together to address the various challenges ahead of us.

We discussed a range of issues, including the pandemic and the importance of rebuilding our economies while growing the middle class.

We also discussed our efforts to tackle climate change, our collaboration when it comes to new technologies, and our commitment to defending our shared values such as democracy, human rights, gender equality, and the rule of law.

Before I talk about our important work with the European Union, I would like to say a few words about the other meetings in the last few days.

As you know, over the weekend, I was at the G7 in Cornwall with Ursula and Charles.

As we continue the fight to end COVID-19 for good, we took a strong stance on major issues, including on access to vaccines, climate change, and global education.

Yesterday, I took part in the NATO Summit along with our allies here in Brussels. The Alliance is united and committed to continuing its important work on national and international security.

We all agreed that we need to continue to adapt to new security challenges, including climate change and cyber threats.

Our world is at a unique moment in history, and not only because of this pandemic. We must stand united.

I’m encouraged by the collaboration I’ve seen between our friends and allies this week, and during my meeting with the European Union.

Our priorities are clear: together, we must end this pandemic, rebuild our economies, and keep our people safe.

Rebuilding our economies means thinking about the future.

With EU partners, we talked about what we can do to build a cleaner economy for years to come.

To begin with, in order to continue creating good, green jobs for the middle class, we must secure supply chains for critical minerals and metals that are essential for things like electric car batteries.

That’s why Canada and the EU are launching the Strategic Partnership on Raw Minerals. This new partnership is focused on securing the supply of these critical minerals – all while creating and supporting good jobs.

Of course, we can’t talk about supply chains without also talking about trade agreements.

On that front, Canada and the EU are continuing our partnership under CETA to create opportunities for workers and businesses alike on both sides of the Atlantic.

During our Summit, we advanced our work to adopt a Mutual Recognition Agreement that would simplify border procedures, while enhancing security measures. This agreement will further speed up the flow of trade between Canada and the EU, and contribute to the safety and security of all Canadians. 

We know that we’ve worked very hard together, the Europeans and Canada over the past number of years, even as other countries were slightly more protectionist. We were able to get many many things done during an uncertain time on the global stage, which led us to strong advances for our citizens, for our economies.

Advances that we are continuing to build on today as we move forward at an even accelerated pace.

Our government will continue to ensure all Canadians benefit from these progressive trade deals – including farmers, small and medium-sized business owners, women entrepreneurs, and the middle class.

That’s what building back better is all about – an economy that leaves no one behind.

And at the heart of that more resilient economy, is climate action.

Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are existential threats.

In addition to continuing our efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Canada and the European Union will reinforce their cooperation to develop measures and technologies that will make the energy transition equitable for everyone.

Because the health of our economy and the health of our planet are intertwined. The more good, green jobs we create, the more we are ensuring that our children have clean air to breathe.

And while we work to reduce our emissions, we must also do more to protect our lands and oceans.

We talk a lot about a greener economy, but we can’t forget to talk about a bluer economy for our oceans as well. On this front, with the European Union, we will launch the Maritime Partnership Forum, which aims to improve collaboration between businesses, governments and other partners in order to better protect our oceans.

We also want to make sure that our agriculture is more sustainable. That’s why, on the heels of this summit, we will launch a series of initiatives that will help to inform and promote cleaner agriculture among farmers, producers and other organizations.

We are all committed to continuing to take concrete action to protect our environment because our health and our safety depend on it.

When it comes to health and safety, job one remains ending this pandemic.

And as we do that, we have to continue strengthening our health systems for today, and for the future.

To support pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, we will launch the Canada-EU Dialogue on Health. This will help Canada and Europe share more information, identify emerging health threats, and work together to keep people healthy, including through mental health support.

And on the subject of the pandemic and vaccines, I want to pick up on what both Ursula and Charles talked about and say, thank you. Thank you, not just to European leaders but to workers across Europe who’ve been getting the world through this pandemic by producing life saving vaccines.

Canada’s friendship and close alliance with Europe is certainly something we have counted on. But we will continue to work together to make sure that in the future, Canada continues to be a strong partner to get us all around the world through pandemics like this.

Whether it’s creating jobs or ending the pandemic;

Whether it’s making our economies more competitive in the digital world or standing up for our shared values around the globe;

Together, Canadians and Europeans will continue to build a better future.

As we get ready to rebuild after the pandemic, the partnership between Canada and the European Union is stronger than ever.

After today’s summit and the other summits this week, I am optimistic about our common desire to create a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world.

We still have many challenges ahead of us, but we will continue to work together to overcome them.

Thank you very much, friends. Thank you very much, everyone.