Hyderabad, Sept. 21: France and Canada have pledged to deepen bilateral ties as Ottawa seeks closer relations with the European Union amid rising trade tensions with the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron made the commitment after meeting in Saint Pierre and Miquelon on Sunday. The French territory lies off Canada’s Atlantic coast.
The meeting came weeks after US President Donald Trump shared a social media image that showed the French territory and several North American and Caribbean regions under a US flag. Macron rejected any suggestion that Saint Pierre and Miquelon could cease to be French territory.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in several areas. These included energy, climate, space and other strategic sectors.
France Canada Relations Expand Beyond Trade
Carney said climate change, threats to sovereignty and concerns over democratic norms were creating new challenges. He said the time had come for Canada and France to strengthen their ties.
Macron said both countries supported democracy, the rule of law and international law. He also highlighted free and fair trade, science based decision making and strategic autonomy.
The visit carried added diplomatic significance because Ottawa has been seeking closer links with the EU. Canada has pursued those ties while facing an increasingly difficult trade relationship with the United States.
Macron also said France supported a European Union proposal to make Canada its first associate member. The proposal has drawn criticism from Trump, who threatened the EU with serious tariffs and a halt to trade.
However, closer EU integration could face obstacles. The European Union and Canada agreed on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement more than a decade ago.
The agreement began provisional application nine years ago. Yet several EU member states have not completed ratification. France remains among the countries that have not ratified the accord.
Energy Cooperation Gains Importance
Energy also featured prominently in the discussions between Macron and Carney. France wants Canada to increase its exports of liquefied natural gas to Europe.
Macron said Canadian LNG projects could support European energy needs. Saint Pierre and Miquelon also holds strategic importance for France because of its location near North America and the Arctic.
The territory has also become part of France’s cooperation with Canada, including on energy matters.
Macron said the talks could lead to bilateral discussions aimed at securing concrete agreements. The comments came as his government faces domestic pressure linked to higher fuel prices.
The leaders also discussed broader geopolitical pressures and the future of relations between Canada, France and the European Union.
The meeting marked the first visit by a French president to Saint Pierre and Miquelon since 2014. It was also Carney’s first visit to the French territory as Canadian prime minister.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
