„We have proven that trade agreements are better than tariffs“, said European Council President António Costa today, as he welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Brussels, BTA reports.
Costa, Trudeau and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made brief statements before the start of their joint meeting.
According to Costa, the 2017 EU-Canada agreement (CETA) has led to a 60% increase in bilateral trade. „We are reliable and predictable friends, strong allies for peace and security. We support Ukraine, we promote nature conservation and digitalization“, he added. Costa described the EU and Canada as "forces for good in the world."
"Our bilateral relationship is a model of trust," von der Leyen noted. "Trade can be beneficial for all, as CETA proves," she added.
"We have deepened our joint work to enhance security and protect democracy," Trudeau said. "The world is becoming increasingly unpredictable, but we remain united in our assessment of the need to support Ukraine, because this is in defense of the international legal order," he added. The Canadian prime minister stressed that CETA has contributed to a significant improvement in trade relations between the two countries.