BENEFITS OF THE CANADA-EU STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (SPA) Note: We are sharing this information and analysis with you as someone with a special interest in Canada-EU relations. For further information, please feel free to contact Nathalie Garon at Global Affairs Canada at Nathalie.Garon@international.gc.ca or 343-203-3612. GENERAL Canada and the EU have a long-standing and close relationship as strategic partners. As such, we have updated our expanding partnership with the EU by means of a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The SPA reflects our shared fundamental values and strengthen our collaboration in areas such as: international peace and security; counter-terrorism; the promotion of human rights and non-proliferation; clean energy, environment and climate change; migration and peaceful pluralism; sustainable development; and innovation. The SPA further entrenches the EU and Canada s common role as global actors working together to promote our shared values and principles in key foreign policy areas. It identifies areas and mechanisms to strengthen our dialogue, cooperation and coordination in promoting these common objectives. Under the existing Canada-EU framework agreement, Canada and the EU already hold a number of strategic dialogues on a wide range of issues. The SPA will further enhance and contemporize these dialogues (e.g. on energy, the environment, and climate change) and will add new ones (e.g. on cyber security, development and counter terrorism) that will more effectively delineate the breadth of our partnership. HUMAN RIGHTS, FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW The SPA reaffirms Canada and the EU s commitment to uphold human rights, democracy, freedom and the rule of law and to work together to advance these core values and principles internationally. The SPA recognizes that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and existing international human rights treaties and other legally binding instruments to which Canada and the EU or the EU Member States are parties, underpins our national and international policies. Canada and the EU recognise that free, fair and credible elections are a cornerstone of democracy. The SPA demonstrates this by reinforcing our collaboration on international election observation missions.
The SPA also recognises the importance of the rule of law for the protection of human rights and for the effective functioning of governance institutions in a democratic state, including an independent justice system, equality before the law, the right to a fair trial and access by individuals to effective legal redress. INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY AND EFFECTIVE MULTILATERALISM Canada and the EU will enhance cooperation to address the international security threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems and related materials, including nuclear weapons and technology. These activities support the various treaties (e.g. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention) that aim to prevent weapons of mass destruction proliferation, and assist in preventing illicit trafficking. Canada and the EU recognize the threat of the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALS) and commit to implement their respective commitments and cooperate to assist other states to deal with this issue. Canada and the EU reaffirm their commitment towards the International Criminal Court and to promote its universality. Canada and the EU are like-minded partners and natural allies on many foreign policy issues, and we both place an important emphasis on international peace and security. The SPA will further reinforce our joint commitment to transatlantic security by strengthening our crisis management and capacity-building efforts. The agreement will further enhance our cooperation on corresponding measures and operations. Canada has been supportive of the EU s capacity to engage as a global actor in international security and welcomes opportunities for non-eu member states to partner with the EU in civilian and/or military missions in the context of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Canada s defence relationships with our European Allies are among the most important, and we welcome the opportunity to reinforce them through deeper cooperation with the EU. Going forward, ensuring complementarity between NATO and the EU will be increasingly important, and enhancing cooperation will continue to be essential, both in the context of limited resources and with the changing dynamic of the European security landscape in light of Russian aggressions in Ukraine. The Strategic Partnership Agreement will increase consultations and coordination in multilateral fora such as the UN, the OECD, NATO and the OSCE. ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Both Canada and the EU recognize that sustainable globalization and continued prosperity can only be attained through an open world economy based on market principles, effective
regulations and strong global institutions. The SPA will facilitate our collaboration on these economic goals and strengthen our relationship by encouraging continued demonstration of economic leadership at all levels. Both Canada and the EU acknowledge that the actions we take to meet the needs of today should not compromise the environment for future generations. The SPA reinforces our commitment to work together on reducing poverty while supporting sustainable economic development. The SPA helps support the work Canada and the EU undertake together on development cooperation to achieve the shared goal of reducing poverty and supporting inclusive economic development around the globe. The SPA also references the existing high level dialogue that facilitates cooperation on energy issues, supports open markets, the sharing of best practices, and promotes science-based, transparent regulation. The SPA underscores the great importance both Canada and the EU place on the protection and conservation of the environment, and bolsters our international efforts by reinvigorating our high level dialogues on the environment and climate change. Canada and the EU recognize the particular importance of the issue of climate change Together we share best practices and promote effective and inclusive cooperation to find innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Both Canada and the EU consistently demonstrate a mutual dedication to minimizing the impact of natural and man-made disasters. The SPA will further support our commitment through promoting prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery measures at appropriate bilateral and multilateral levels. Canada and the EU recognize the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the field of employment, social affairs and decent work. The SPA will facilitate our collaboration and exchange of information in these areas. Canada and the EU will collaborate to strengthen internationally the principles of good governance and cooperation in the area of taxation. The SPA encourages collaboration and information-sharing between Canada and the EU to better equip us for potential global public health emergencies. The SPA encourages continued collaboration in education-related areas, including new ways to foster relationships and stakeholder participation in non-governmental activities which enrich the flow of ideas for the solution of common challenges. Recognizing the importance of these areas to address global challenges, Canada and the EU will strengthen our collaboration on knowledge, research, innovation, and communication technology.
Improving the way we develop high-quality, talented people performing world-leading research and generating new breakthrough ideas is of key importance to the Government of Canada. The SPA will strengthen cooperation with the EU in innovation through enhanced dialogue and exchange of expertise. Advanced research and innovation are cornerstones of both Canadian and European Union society. The SPA will further support our mutual research efforts and continue our strong research partnerships. The SPA will facilitate closer cooperation in the development and utilization of space assets to support citizens, businesses and government organizations. Strengthening the long-standing cultural and linguistic ties and building bridges of understanding across our societies continues to be a priority for Canada and the EU. The SPA will help to continue and expand our existing relationships by encouraging and facilitating exchanges, cooperation and dialogue between people, cultural and professional institutions in Canada, and throughout the European Union. The SPA acknowledges long-standing ties in education and youth between our two countries and encourages the continued promotion of people-to-people linkages. The SPA promotes the diversity of cultural expression, including through the promotion of the principles and objectives of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In recognition for our commitment to deepen our relationship, the SPA encourages expert and exchange of best practices in other areas of mutual interest such as agriculture, fisheries, international transportation and circumpolar issues. JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY Canada and the EU will enhance their judicial cooperation in civil, commercial and criminal matters, and the SPA will help to strengthen existing mechanisms to facilitate collaboration in these areas. Canada and the EU will cooperate to ensure a balanced and integrated approach on drug issues. Canada and the EU are committed to working together to promote international approaches to combatting threats to our security, including organized crime, money laundering, corruption, cybercrime, terrorism and terrorist financing. The SPA reaffirms our commitment to work closely together in the area of migration (including legal migration, irregular migration, trafficking in human beings, and migration and development).
The SPA will allow Canada and the EU to designate any state (for Canada) or any Member State (for the EU) for the consular protection of their citizens if they do not have accessible permanent representation in any Member State or Canada. The Parties recognize the need to protect personal data and will continue to cooperate through dialogue and exchange of expertise.