Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU)

Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P., President, Canada–Europe Parliamentary Association, met with Her Excellency, Melita Gabric, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, in his Parliament Hill Office.

They discussed the outcome of the May 2022 EU-Canada Joint Ministerial Committee meeting; the coverage of space-related procurement by the Canadian Space Agency under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement; Canada and the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and the upcoming Canada-EU interparliamentary meeting this fall.

Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P., President, Canada–Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), participated in a meeting held in the parliamentary precinct with Her Excellency, Melita Gabric, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Paul Lasserre, Press and Information Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Canada.

In their first meeting since the election of Mr. Sorbara as CAEU President, the Ambassador and Mr. Sorbara discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the impact on the European Union (EU)’s energy security. Mr. Sorbara voiced his understanding of the situation and highlighted the role that Canada can play in helping to meet the EU’s energy needs.

They also discussed the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and its importance in light of current events and its upcoming five-year implementation anniversary.

Finally, they discussed opportunities for further collaboration, including ways in which CAEU could highlight Europe Day on 9 May 2022.

Members of the Canada–Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) participated in a meeting held at the Delegation of the European Union to Canada with members of the Council of the European Union (EU)’s Working Party on Transatlantic Relations (COTRA).

The CAEU members were Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P., President; Hon. David Wells, Senator, Vice President; Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne, Senator; Hon. Lucie Moncion, Senator; Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, M.P.; Salma Zahid, M.P.; and Stéphane Bergeron, M.P.

The COTRA delegation was headed by Mr. Tomás Reyes Ortega, Chair, and included 11 diplomats from EU member states, and two representatives from the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU and the EU’s European External Action Service. COTRA’s work focuses on EU relations with the United States and Canada and covers a broad range of issues, from cyber, energy and security policy to economics and trade.

Her Excellency, Melita Gabric, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, chaired the meeting and was accompanied by Ms. Eva Palatova, Head of Political and Public Affairs at the Delegation of the EU to Canada.

The main topics of discussion were Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the impact on the EU’s energy security as well as food security. They also discussed increasing Russian disinformation and misinformation and potential mitigation solutions, especially considering Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Participants also highlighted collaborative defence and security initiatives between the EU and Canada.

Finally, they discussed the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the importance of the ratification process that is now taking place in each EU member state.