OTTAWA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is participating in the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Carbis Bay, United Kingdom from June 11 to 13, 2021.
Following the Summit, he will attend the NATO Summit on June 14 followed by the Canada-European Union (EU) Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
An official statement from Ottawa said: “The G7 Leaders’ Summit, NATO Summit, and Canada-EU Summit are all crucial opportunities for the Government of Canada to work with our global partners to find real solutions to the challenges that Canadians and people around the world are facing. Together, we will end the COVID-19 pandemic, create new jobs, grow our middle class, fight climate change, and build a more resilient world for everyone.”
Ministers of Finance and Health from the G7 countries have already been meeting for several days in the UK, in preparation for the summit. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, has held meetings with her counterparts with major discussions held with US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen.
Freeland also tweeted: “Great to be welcomed by UK;s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rish Sunak. We are committed to an international tax system that is fair and that sees large digital corporations pay their fair share. Thanks for your partnership, Rishi, on this and other issues.”
This year’s G7 Summit will focus on those key global priorities, as well as finding coordinated approaches to promoting international rules and human rights, democracy, and gender equality. In addition to G7 members, the United Kingdom has also invited leaders from Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea.
At the NATO Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau will join other leaders to recommit to working together to address future trans-Atlantic security threats and challenges, and to strengthen shared security commitments that keep our people safe.
Trudeau said: “Now more than ever, world leaders need to come together to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. Canada will continue to work with our global partners to keep our people healthy, create jobs and opportunity, grow the middle class, fight climate change, and strengthen democratic values. Only together can we bring an end to this pandemic and build a future that works for everyone.”
During the Canada-EU Summit, the Prime Minister will meet with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss areas of further collaboration.
Together, they will discuss ways to tackle climate change, fight COVID-19, and further our economic ties to build on the benefits of the Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has created jobs and growth for all Canadians and Europeans.
“When we work with our global partners to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow, Canadians benefit. Together, we will finish the fight against COVID-19, and coordinate a recovery that creates jobs, grows the middle class, and builds a better future for everyone. Trudeau said.
• The Prime Minister and his delegation traveling to the UK and Belgium will follow all public health protocols and procedures during their visit.
• Leaders of the G7 have come together since the 1970s to discuss issues of domestic and global concern. This will be the first in-person meeting of G7 leaders since 2019 and the fifth G7 Summit Prime Minister Trudeau will attend.
• The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. This year, invited countries include: India, Australia, South Africa and South Korea
• Canada last held the presidency of the G7 in 2018. The United Kingdom holds the presidency in 2021, and Germany will hold it in 2022.
• NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. It is the primary forum in which to engage other nations on transatlantic defence and security.
• Canada and the EU’s Strategic Partnership Agreement deepens and broadens bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues such as international peace and security, counter-terrorism, human rights and nuclear non-proliferation, clean energy and climate change, migration and peaceful pluralism, sustainable development, and innovation.
• CETA has been providing Canadians and Europeans with preferential market access since September 2017, and all economically significant parts of the agreement are in force.