Prime Minister Mark Carney has received an invitation to participate in the upcoming summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Armenia, as announced by European Council President António Costa on Tuesday. Carney is among 48 heads of government or state set to attend, marking the first instance of a non-European nation taking part in the meetings.
Costa emphasized the strong partnership between Europe and Canada, highlighting their joint efforts in promoting global alliances to safeguard peace, shared prosperity, and multilateralism. The European Political Community was established in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and functions similarly to the G20 or G7 by convening countries within the EU and its political sphere to engage in discussions and idea exchange.
In addition to the 27 EU member states, various other nations including Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Ukraine, the Balkan states, the U.K., as well as European microstates like Andorra and Liechtenstein, will be in attendance at the summit. Scheduled for May 4 and 5, the event will be co-chaired by Costa and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
During his visit to Yerevan, Armenia, from May 2 to 4, Carney plans to showcase Canada as an attractive destination for investments in major projects spanning critical minerals, energy, defense, and other sectors. Carney expressed Canada’s commitment to deepening ties with European partners and allies, emphasizing shared values and collaborative efforts in defense, energy, and technology to foster a more secure and prosperous future across the Atlantic.
The summit’s agenda includes discussions on enhancing democratic resilience, economic security, and energy cooperation among the attending leaders. Additionally, the participants will address the latest developments in Ukraine and the repercussions of the ongoing Middle East crisis. Costa underscored the significance of the summit in strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting peace, connectivity, and prosperity in the South Caucasus region through adherence to international law and the rules-based global order.