Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to sign a security and defence partnership agreement with the European Union later this month, paving the way for Canada to participate in Europe’s ambitious €150-billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program.
Set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa during the Canada-EU Summit in Brussels on June 23, Carney’s visit signals deepening transatlantic cooperation in defence and security at a time of mounting global threats.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Alberta, both von der Leyen and Costa confirmed that Canada is being welcomed into what they called Europe’s “rapidly evolving defence architecture.”
Von der Leyen emphasized that the upcoming deal will formally initiate negotiations for Canada’s entry into the SAFE program, a flagship component of the broader ReArm Europe initiative designed to bolster joint defence projects across the continent.
The SAFE program is open to Europe’s “very close allies, friends and partners”, and Canadian officials say joining will allow Ottawa to co-finance and benefit from next-generation military capabilities, technology sharing, and joint procurement.
Carney has already expressed his intention for Canada to play a larger role in European defence integration, as NATO allies confront growing threats from authoritarian states, cyber warfare, and instability at Europe’s borders.
