On April 21st 2009 EUCOCIT hosted a breakfast event in anticipation of the bilateral Canada - EU summit on May 6th 2009 in Prague. Host partners were the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the Ontario Ministry of International Trade and Investment, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. At the center of the forum discussion was the Economic Partnership between Canada and the EU, a topic that has reached a great momentum following a 2008 joint study of the European Commission and the Government of Canada that pointed towards significant benefits of closer economic ties.

Christian D. Frayssignes, President of EUCOCIT and Len Crispino, President of the Ontario Chamber welcomed guests to the event, most of whom represented Ontario businesses, the Ontario Government and other organizations with trade interests in Canada and Europe. 

The first distinguished speaker, The Honorable Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of International Trade and Investment, emphasized Ontario’s advantageous position for European investments. According to Pupatello, European businesses can benefit from Ontario’s highly developed automotive, aerospace and environmental technologies industries as well as using Ontario to gain access to the entire North American market. Pupatello pointed to EUCOCIT and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce as partners of the Ontario Government in working towards defining Ontario’s priorities in the Canada – EU Economic Partnership.

Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, emphasized that closer economic ties between Canada and the EU carry tremendous opportunities for both sides. As representative of the Federal Government at the event, Mr. Keddy highlighted the need to focus not only on North and South trade but the opportunities for East and West trade particularly in sectors such as energy. The Honorable Roy MacLaren, Former Minister of International Trade Canada and Chairman of the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business, further emphasised the advantages of closer economic ties between Canada and the EU.

Final remarks were made by Giovanni Di Girolamo, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada. Mr. Di Girolamo explained that Canada and the EU share common cultural roots and common values, as well as similar perception of threats. By working together to forge closer economic ties, the EU and Canada not only can become strong economic partners but may create an ‘alliance with a common vision’. Mr. Di Girolamo added that following the joint study in 2008, there now exists a strong political will to realize tighter economic partnership between the EU and Canada. The speeches were followed by a lively Q&A session with the participation of European and Canadian business representatives.

Interview with Mr. Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade. 

Interview with Mr. Giovanni Di Girolamo, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada.