European Parliament to open Ottawa office as Carney seeks closer EU ties

The European Parliament plans to open an office in Ottawa as Prime Minister Mark Carney moves to strengthen Canada’s relationship with the European Union. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the new presence will support closer parliamentary cooperation between Canada and the EU, which share what she described as common values and interests. Ottawa will be the 10th city to host one of these offices and the third in North America, after New York and Washington. The European Union already has a diplomatic mission in Ottawa through the European Commission, but the parliament’s office will serve a separate role. Carney said Canada wants to begin talks on a “unique alliance” with the EU, while stopping short of membership. He is scheduled to speak to the European Parliament on Thursday, and broader CanadaEU discussions are expected later this year.