Thank you, Mr. President – Emmanuel. Thank you for your invitation, your welcome, and your leadership.

At their closest point, just a few kilometres separate Canada and France.

This afternoon, we laid wreaths in honour of the women and men of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon who joined Free France.

In 1941, as tyranny spread across Europe, the inhabitants of these islands were called upon to choose sides.

They refused to be collaborators. An overwhelming majority of them voted in favour of Free France.

History remembers those who act. Those who defend their sovereignty. Those who remain true to their values.

These are the foundations on which nations are built – and long-lasting friendships, as well.

The values of liberty, equality, and fraternity have deep roots in this French territory.

They are also our values in Canada, because France – one of the founding nations of Canada – passed them on to us.

Today, our societies are confronted with new challenges: the effects of climate change, the transformation of global trade, the erosion of democratic norms, and new threats to our sovereignty.

As you have taught us, Mr. President, today, to be sovereign goes beyond being able to feed, fuel, and defend ourselves.

It requires secure access to artificial intelligence (AI), space, semiconductors, critical minerals, payment systems, and clean energy.

It is in this context, inspired by your example, Mr. President, that Canada and Europe will build an alliance for the future that will strengthen our collective resilience, so we can live our lives as we choose – based on the values we share across Fortune Bay.

France and Canada can always count on one another.

We have increased our cooperation on the major technological and geopolitical issues of our time.

That is why we are working together in the field of emerging technologies like quantum, and we are strengthening our partnership in the space sector.

Our countries are both aware of the profound impacts of AI on all our citizens. And we share the same conviction: countries at the forefront of AI, including Canada and France, must join forces to ensure proper oversight and ensure that AI is safe and effective.

And, under your leadership, Mr. President, as part of the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and efforts to implement a two-state solution in the Middle East, we are acting together to tackle the most significant geopolitical challenges in the world today.

Deep cultural and linguistic ties unite us – and Canada is proud to host the Sommet de la Francophonie in 2028.

Our languages, our cultures, and our businesses bring us together in many different ways.

And today, we are making those ties even stronger.

Today, based on our discussions, we’re strengthening cooperation in key areas.

We have tasked our space agencies and defence ministries to develop and share common infrastructure, including launch systems and reception facilities.

We will also task – and this is significant – the Regional Joint Cooperation Commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to expand its work in a host of priority areas: fishing, economic growth, energy transition, climate resilience, telecommunications cables, and more.

We also agreed, on the short-term, to work together on energy challenges, under the President’s leadership of the G7. But we are also dedicated to the medium-term energy transition.

And I want to salute the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie en France, who are embarking on a strategic partnership to bring our business communities closer together and serve our citizens better.

Everything that we are building here rests on a choice that was made long ago.

Almost 85 years ago, the inhabitants of these islands acted on their convictions. Their values guided their actions. They chose the right partners.

The time has come to strengthen the ties between Canada and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Between Canada and France. Between Canada and the European Union.

Ties based on the values that we share.

Long live Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon! Long live France! Long live Canada!