Official ties between Canada and Europe date back to the 1950s, when in 1959 relations were established with the European Coal and Steel Community, ancestor of the EU created in 1951. A turning point then took place in 1976 with the signing of the framework agreement on commercial and economic cooperation, the very first agreement of its kind between the EEC and an OECD member country.
Despite these reservations on terminology, discussions intend to move forward on several concrete issues, such as the movement of people through the simplification of visa procedures, access to the Erasmus program for students, as well as the deepening of digital trade, energy agreements, access to critical minerals and security cooperation.
Despite this stated desire, this new summit in Montreal must make it possible to resolve the obstacles that remain, in particular the question of whether European countries will be favorable to this development.
The ambition displayed is significant since the stated objective is to work towards the possibility for Canada to become the first associate member of the EU.
The 21st EU-Canada summit is being held in Montreal from October 29, with the aim of moving forward on the terms of a new partnership between the two blocs.