EU, Canada to deepen ties with new security pact

The European Union and Canada are set to launch a new phase of their relationship with a landmark security and defense partnership, to be formalized at a high-level summit in Brussels on Monday. The move reflects both sides' concerns over growing global instability and shared strategic interests.

The summit, hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, will welcome Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a two-hour meeting, just a day before the NATO summit in The Hague.

EU officials have emphasized that this summit is “not business as usual”, but rather a significant shift that will usher in deeper cooperation between the transatlantic allies.

New Security and Defence Pact
At the core of the talks is a new EU-Canada security and defense agreement, the first such deal between the EU and a country from the Americas. The pact will focus on several strategic areas:

• Joint crisis management
• Cybersecurity and maritime security
• Space security and arms control
• Continued support for Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing war

As part of the agreement, Canadian firms will gain access to the EU’s €150 billion ($172 billion) joint defense procurement program, known as SAFE — a major boost for bilateral defense-industrial cooperation.

Digital Cooperation Also on the Agenda
The summit is also expected to kick off negotiations for a digital agreement aimed at harmonizing global standards for data governance, including:

• E-signature recognition
• Consumer data protection
• Rules on spam and digital advertising

According to a draft joint statement, the EU and Canada seek to align on digital regulations that promote safer and more inclusive online platforms and trustworthy AI systems — areas in which the EU has faced criticism from the United States.

Shared Concerns Driving Closer Ties
The deepening alliance comes at a time of mounting global pressures, including:

A more confrontational U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump

• Heightened tensions with Russia
• Growing instability in the Middle East

Against this backdrop, both the EU and Canada are seeking stronger independent security mechanisms and unified digital standards to navigate an increasingly complex international environment.