Canada and EU sign security and defence partnership

Canada and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), which formalizes a mutual intent to foster closer ties by establishing a framework for dialogue and cooperation across the full security and defence spectrum. The SDP, which is a high-level framework setting out areas of cooperation, was one of a number of initiatives undertaken at the 2025 EU – Canada Summit, on June 23, with the goal of forging a comprehensive partnership between the two, while diversifying Canada’s international partnerships. The SDP covers a range of matters related to security and defence including:

• enhancing collaboration for long-term support of Ukraine, including continuing to co-operate on civil reconstruction, financial support and sanctions policy;
• strengthening cooperation in relation to security and crisis management and peacekeeping operations;
• endeavouring to improve military interoperability between the partners and expanding collaboration on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project on military interoperability, of which Canada is already a third-country participant;
• deepening exchanges in relation to maritime security to promote and defend a rules-based maritime system with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the Indo-Pacific region;
• conducting regular exchanges on the development of security and defence initiatives and exploring possible mutual involvement in defence initiatives;
• enhancing cooperation on cyber issues in the context of international security;
• deepening cooperation on research and analysis of hybrid threats and enhancing cooperation to strengthen “societal resilience” to emerging challenges;
• moving towards more structured, operational and impactful cooperation in relation to foreign information manipulation and interference;
• cooperating on counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism, including addressing online radicalization;
• deepening consultations on arms control and non-proliferation;
• addressing space security;
• exchanging on emerging disruptive technologies, including the responsible use of AI in security and defence;
• addressing the security aspects of climate-related impacts; and
• cooperating in the fight against transnational crime, including human trafficking and smuggling.

The joint statement issued following the summit refers to the possibility of increased defence procurement cooperation through collaboration with ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 (ReArm) by launching work towards a bilateral agreement related to the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. ReArm is a proposal to leverage over €800 billion in defence spending, including via SAFE, which is a new European financial instrument intended to raise up to €150 billion in the capital markets to accelerate defence investment. According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, entry into the SDP “is the intentional first step toward Canada’s participation in [SAFE]. Canada’s participation in this initiative will create significant defence procurement and industrial opportunities for Canada.