Canada and Europe

Canada and Europe share a long history, common values and extensive people-to-people ties. Canada has developed strong and deep bilateral relationships with the institutions of the European Union (EU) as well as with most European countries.

The Canada-EU relationship is of fundamental importance to Canada. The EU is Canada’s second largest trade and investment partner, and a central actor on the vast majority of global issues of concern to Canada. On October 30, 2016, Canada and the European Commission signed the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, also known as CETA and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), which will deepen and broaden the scope of our bilateral relationship on a wide range of issues. The signature of these agreements marks a historic moment for both Canada and the EU and a major milestone in the evolution of this relationship. Canada has close bilateral relationships with most Western and Central European countries, both EU and non-EU Member States. We cooperate with European countries and the EU through various international organisations, including the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Canada’s relations with the countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia have become increasingly important during the past few decades. Canada is a strong voice for democracy and freedom in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and continues to work closely with partners in resolving the frozen conflicts of the region. Canada is one of the strongest supporters of humanitarian, political and economic assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.