September 1, 2026 | 04:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Canada is seeking closer ties with the European Union as strained relations with the United States push Ottawa to expand its economic and strategic partnerships.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will travel to Ireland this week to become the first Canadian foreign minister to attend Gymnich, an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Global Affairs Canada said Monday, August 31.
Anand will attend the September 1-2 meeting in Wicklow, co-hosted by Irish Foreign and Defense Minister Helen McEntee and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The ministers are expected to discuss major geopolitical developments, including the situation in the Middle East and continued support for Ukraine.
Anand's visit is also aimed at advancing the New Canada-EU Strategic Partnership of the Future and strengthening cooperation on economic security, trade and defense ahead of the Canada-EU Leaders' Summit on October 29-30 in Canada.
Canada Looks to Europe
The outreach comes as Canada-US trade relations remain strained following the collapse of negotiations and the imposition of tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each other's goods.
In a post on X, Anand said Canada's interests were increasingly aligned with those of Europe.
"Tomorrow, I'll travel to Ireland as the first Canadian foreign minister to join an EU Gymnich meeting," she said.
She described the new role as reflecting closer strategic ties, saying the "new seat at the table comes as our strategic interests increasingly converge, from economic security and collective defence to our steadfast support for Ukraine."
Anand said Canada was "building a more integrated partnership with Europe — one defined by greater ambition, greater influence and greater opportunity."
She added that the partnership would gain further momentum when Canada hosts the Canada-EU Leaders' Summit in October.
Ukraine Support
The Russia-Ukraine war is expected to be a key issue at the meeting, with Anand set to reaffirm Canada's support for military assistance, energy security, reconstruction and accountability, according to Global Affairs Canada.
The discussions come as Ottawa seeks to strengthen its position on both economic and security issues while navigating its increasingly complicated relationship with Washington.
Canada's engagement with Brussels is expected to focus on areas where the two sides share strategic interests, including trade diversification, economic security, defense and support for Ukraine.
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