Hi u tilqa' lill-Prim Ministru tal-Kanada Mark Carney fil-Parlament Ewropew fi Strasburgu, il-President Roberta Metsola qalet li hemm potenzjal għal kooperazzjoni aħjar fuq ħafna livelli differenti, mid-difiża u l-kummerċ sal-enerġija, l-edukazzjoni u r-riċerka.
Dear colleagues, Today we welcome the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to our Parliament. Dear Mark, thank you for being here today. The friendship between the European Union and Canada is rooted in our shared values and outlook. It is built on the same understanding that united Canadians in 1867, and Europeans in 1951: that we are always stronger when we work together. Our partnership endures. It is grounded in the stories of our peoples. Many of those who helped to build your nation were Europeans in search of a better life. And in our continent’s darkest moments, Canadians were there for us. In 1914, when war shattered our continent, Canadians fought shoulder to shoulder with us through the muddy trenches of Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele. On Vimy Ridge, where your national memorial keeps watch, a corner of Europe will remain forever Canadian. A generation later, in 1944, your boys came to our aid again, storming Normandy beaches alongside British and Americans to help liberate Europe from fascism. On that day, Canadian forces pushed farther inland than any other – and, in some of the bloodiest fighting of the war, sustained heavy losses, but soldiered on. This sums up so much about the courageous Canadian spirit. Europe will always be grateful for the sacrifice of so many who stood with us and defended freedom and democracy. We will never forget. And it is with that spirit, and with the weight of that history, that we now look to the future together. Yesterday’s announcement opening the door to deepening our alliance is a huge positive step forward. With potential for closer collaboration on the issues that matter to people, to families and to industry on both sides of the Atlantic. The potential exists for better cooperation on so many different levels, from defence and trade to energy, education and research. Together we can break new and exciting ground and ultimately improve lives. Today is another milestone in that shared journey. Your presence here could not be more significant. I know we are all looking forward to hearing you speak. So, without further ado, Prime Minister, dear Mark, thank you again for being here, and the floor is yours.