European Parliamentarians’ Visit to Canada: Focus on Ukraine and Security
On September 21–24, representatives of the international parliamentary network United for Ukraine (U4U) visited Canada — eight parliamentarians from Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Finland.
In Ottawa, the European parliamentarians met with the Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada, members of the Canada–Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, the House of Commons Standing Committees on National Defence and Foreign Affairs, the NATO Parliamentary Association, and the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. They also met with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Ambassador of the European Union, members of the “Friends of Ukraine” group of ambassadors based in Ottawa, Canadian policy experts, and representatives of the media. The Lithuanian parliamentarians also met with the leadership of the Canada–Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The meetings and discussions focused on continued support for Ukraine, accountability for russia and its allies, opportunities to strengthen transatlantic ties, and ways to expand cooperation between Europe and Canada in the areas of defence, security, the economy, science, and other fields.
During their visit, members of the parliamentary network also joined reP protesters outside the russian Embassy in Ottawa, calling on russia to immediately end its war against Ukraine.
The parliamentarians expressed their sincere appreciation to the reP protesters, who gather outside the russian Embassy every day, regardless of the weather, to demonstrate their support for Ukraine and protest russia’s brutal war.
The delegation also visited the Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Ottawa, where they paid tribute to the victims of communist regimes and honoured their memory.
The U4U representatives concluded their visit to Canada in Toronto, where they met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce. The meeting focused on Ontario’s support for Ukraine, particularly in the energy sector, as well as opportunities to expand economic cooperation between the Province of Ontario and the European Union. This issue was also discussed during a meeting with Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli.
During a discussion with members of the Canadian NATO Association, participants addressed the threats posed by russia to Europe and Canada.
At a meeting with leaders of the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian communities in Toronto, held at the Lithuanian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, participants discussed joint efforts to mobilize support for Ukraine.
Members of the Lithuanian Seimas Žygimantas Pavilionis and Ruslanas Baranovas also met with leaders of the Lithuanian-Canadian community.
The U4U network, established on the initiative of Andrius Kubilius, the current European Commissioner for Defence and Space, brings together more than 350 politicians from over 30 countries. It is currently chaired by Žygimantas Pavilionis, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Seimas and Ambassador.
