‘I would be very pleased’: PM Carney invited to address European Parliament

Political commentator Scott Reid speaks about the significance of PM Carney’s visit to Armenia and his effort to build ‘ties’ with EU leaders.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would be “very pleased” to address the European Parliament following a request from parliamentary president Roberta Metsola.

The two leaders met Sunday during the European Political Community summit in Armenia. In public remarks before a meeting with delegates, Metsola said she had sent an invitation “a couple of weeks ago.”

“Yes,” Carney responded, nodding as she explained Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, had addressed the group before. “I would say that this is, more than ever, great if you could make it.”

“I would be very pleased to take that up. Thank you. Thank you very much,” Carney told Metsola.

What is the European Parliament?

The assembly is one of two legislative bodies in the European Union with the power to adopt and amend legislation, and to decide on the union’s budget in tandem with the European Council.

When did Trudeau give his speech?

Former prime minister Trudeau spoke to the assembly twice during his tenure.

First, in 2017, he celebrated a then-recent push to ratify a trade deal between Canada and the EU, which would established tariff-free trade of Canadian goods for 98 per cent the EU’s list of levied goods.

He returned to that stage in March 2022 to lament the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine, which had been declared one month-less-a-day before his speech.

Why is Carney in Armenia?

Carney is on a short trip to the European country for a series of multi-lateral talks on trade and global strategy. He’s the first Canadian prime minister to attend the summit, which was established after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and occurs twice yearly.

He met Sunday with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and others. Before he leaves, he’s expected to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Carney has, throughout his time in Ottawa, described his vision for more trade with Europe as a means to reduce reliance on the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is not present at the summit, looms large over talks this weekend after he accused the EU of breaking the terms of its trade agreement with the United States. As a result, he said, he promised to increase tariffs on auto imports from the union.

Poilievre scorns trip

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, speaking to reporters on Sunday in Toronto, characterized Carney’s trip as “on another trip, signing fake MOUs and giving dazzling speeches all while delivering no real results here at home.”

Armenia is the 21st country Carney has visited since becoming prime minister, with Europe a central focus of his travel.