At pivotal summit, Canadian-European security cooperation is a central focus – Defense News

At pivotal summit, Canadian-European security cooperation is a central focus  Defense News

The proposed measures would advance a broader strategic partnership that calls for Canada and Europe to assume greater responsibility for shared security while reinforcing NATO. VIENNA — Canada and the European Union plan to deepen cooperation on satellite services, Arctic maritime capabilities and critical materials for defense industries at a two-day summit in Montreal that began on Thursday, according to a draft joint statement. The proposed measures would advance a broader strategic partnership that calls for Canada and Europe to assume greater responsibility for shared security while reinforcing NATO. The draft, first reported by Politico, does not announce new troop deployments or weapons purchases. Under the current wording, Canada is promised negotiations for access to services from Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation, as well as exploring Canadian participation in the European IRIS² satellite communications project.

Canada’s vast natural resources appear to be of particular interest to Brussels, with an entire section dedicated to energy and critical raw materials. The draft proposes exploring stockpiling of critical resources needed by civilian and defense industries to cushion supply chains against market fluctuations and geopolitical disruption. There’s already some dissonance about some specific wording. In mid-September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her plan to make Canada the EU’s first “associate member” – to the surprise of some European capitals. Now, the draft