From:Department of the Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin today welcomed the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, to Dublin. The leaders reaffirmed the deep and enduring relationship between Canada and Ireland, rooted in shared history, democratic values, close people-to-people and business ties, and a common commitment to international law, human rights, democracy, rule of law, transatlantic relations and multilateral cooperation. The leaders underscored the growing partnership between Canada and the European Union and the opportunity to expand it even further during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council, beginning on July 1, 2026. The two leaders recognised Canada’s long-standing contribution to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. This legacy is recognised in the De Chastelain Scholarship Programme, jointly supported by the Governments of Canada and Ireland.

Building on their Joint Statement of September 25, 2025, the leaders reaffirmed the strength of the strategic and economic partnership between Canada and Ireland and agreed a framework to deepen bilateral cooperation, strengthen economic resilience, enhance long-term competitiveness, and advance shared strategic interests including through deeper cooperation on economic security, trusted supply chains and strategic technologies. To further drive strategic cooperation and unlock new opportunities for our people and businesses across the Atlantic, they agreed the following priority areas for further cooperation:

The leaders underscored the continued growth in two way trade, and underscored the importance of predictable, rules based trade grounded in international law. They welcomed the continued growth in two-way investment, with official Canadian figures showing that Ireland now ranks as the 8th largest investor in Canada and Canada as the 14th largest investor in Ireland. They underscored the mutual benefit of these economic ties with Canadian companies employing 26,000 people in Ireland and Irish companies employing over 30,000 people in Canada.

They welcomed Ireland’s progress towards ratification of the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and emphasized its role in supporting jobs, small and medium sized enterprises, stronger trade ties and economic growth.

2. Life Sciences, Biomanufacturing and Health Security:Recognising the strategic importance of resilient health systems and supply chains, the leaders committed to:

3. Food Security and Agri Food Systems:Recognising the importance of resilient and sustainable Agri food systems, the leaders committed to:

4. Climate and Clean Growth:Reaffirming their commitment to climate action and sustainable growth, the leaders committed to:

5. Research, Innovation and Talent:The leaders agreed that the long-term competitive advantage of Canadian and Irish businesses in strategic sectors depends on the creation of new avenues to connect their best minds and most innovative businesses. They committed to:

6. International Relations, Security and Defence:In the current complex geopolitical environment, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and committed to continue to work together to support peace and stability in the Middle East. The leaders underscored the importance of cooperation on security and defence in a more complex and contested global environment, and reaffirmed their commitment to working with like minded partners in support of transatlantic security. They welcomed Canada’s participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, currently the only non-European country to join. They committed to:

7. Canada–EU Cooperation:Looking ahead to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU starting in July 2026, the leaders underscored the strategic importance of the Canada–EU relationship and recognised Ireland’s role as a trusted and longstanding bridge between Canada and the EU. They noted Canada’s participation in the European Political Community Summit on May 4, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, marking the first time a non-European leader has joined the summit. They looked forward to Canadian participation at a number of high-level meetings and events in Ireland during the Irish Presidency.

The leaders committed to working together, including during Ireland’s Presidency, to:

8. Cultural Cooperation:Recognising the close historical and cultural ties between Ireland and Canada, the leaders:

The leaders affirmed that this set of commitments reflects a practical, forward-looking, and action-oriented framework for strengthened bilateral cooperation. They committed to maintaining close engagement and to delivering concrete outcomes that benefit peoples, workers, and businesses in both countries.