France, Canada to strengthen ties as "reliable allies"

Paris [France], March 18: French President Emmanuel Macron and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday said that France and Canada will work together to strengthen cooperation in terms of security and support for Ukraine.
At a joint press conference, Macron said that France and Canada, by working together, can better ensure the respect of their common interests, and the full exercise of their sovereignty.
He called on the two countries to work closer in the fields of defense and security, ecological transition, and development of new technologies.
Regarding the trade war that U.S. President Donald Trump dragged Canada and Europe into, the two leaders agreed that fair trade "is a good thing for the prosperity of all."
"It (free trade) is certainly more effective than the tariffs that create inflation and damage production chains," Macron said.
Macron also noted that France and Canada, as "powers of peace and reliable allies," both want a "solid and last peace" in Ukraine.
For the French head of state, the peace that France and Canada foresee is "accompanied by robust (security) guarantees that will protect Ukraine...and ensure the security of the whole of Europe."
Carney said that it is "more important than ever" for Canada to strengthen its ties with reliable allies like France.
"We must strengthen collaboration between our countries to ensure our security, that of our allies, and that of the entire world," he noted.
Choosing France as his first overseas visit after being sworn in as prime minister on Friday, Carney is also going to Britain in a bid to deepen relations with Canada's European allies amid U.S. disputes.
Source: Xinhua News Agency