Foreign Affairs Minister to participate in EU Arctic meetings
News Release
June 14, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is committed to the Arctic and its people. This includes working with international partners to address the region’s unique challenges, including climate change, and to create opportunities and sustainable development for Canada’s Arctic communities.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that on June 15, 2017, in Oulu, Finland, she will participate in an EU high-level event focused on Arctic environmental challenges and how the international community can support sustainable development. Okalik Eegeesiak, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, will be at the meeting, where she will represent the international interests of Inuit in Canada, Greenland, Chukotka (Russia) and Alaska.
Co-hosted by the EU and Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the event will bring together governments, industry, researchers, and Indigenous and local community representatives.
The Minister will also meet with key interlocutors to discuss bilateral relations and the mutual benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), among other issues.
Quotes
“Canada and the EU have shared values and a commitment to people in the Arctic region. There are excellent opportunities to advance our common priorities, including action on climate change and support for Indigenous peoples, science, technology and innovation. Our partnership will grow with CETA, which will have significant benefits for citizens of both Canada and the EU.”
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick Facts
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In April 2016, the EU released a new Arctic policy, An Integrated European Union Policy for the Arctic, which emphasizes research, science and innovation.
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The eight Arctic States met in Fairbanks, Alaska, on May 11, 2017, for the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, where the chairmanship transferred from the U.S. to Finland.
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The Canada-EU relationship dates back to 1959, the EU’s oldest formal relationship (since its original formation as the European Economic Community) with any industrialized country.
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