Macron welcomes Carney on French North Atlantic territory off Canadian coast

French President Emmanuel Macron greeted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the remote North Atlantic archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sunday during a symbolic visit aimed at boosting bilateral economic and security ties.

They were expected to confirm Canada's close relations with both France and the European Union in a joint statement following a working lunch.

"In a world in crisis, our friendship is a strength," Macron posted on X, below a video of him welcoming Carney at the airport.

"Together, we affirm our sovereignty, our freedom to decide and our willingness to build a future of peace and prosperity," he added.

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The meeting comes days after Carney embraced the prospect of Canada becoming the European Union’s first associate member, saying closer ties with the continent would ensure no country could control Canada’s markets or undermine its sovereignty.

US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on its neighbour and pursue deeper economic, security and political relationships with Europe.

“This is an important moment,” Macron said upon arriving Saturday in the French territory off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Saint Pierre and Miquelon is home to about 5,800 people. 

Talks "will allow us … to strengthen our bilateral economic ties and defence relationship,” Macron said.

Macron said Sunday’s talks are part of broader efforts to help France secure oil and gas supplies as the war with Iran disrupts global energy markets and raises fears of higher prices for fuel and other essentials.

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“Canada is a country with significant resources of critical minerals and rare earths. It is also a major oil and natural gas producer,” Macron noted. “What we want to do is conclude agreements to secure more liquefied natural gas that can be shipped to Europe’s Atlantic coast.”

The leaders will discuss deepening the Canada-France partnership in strategic sectors, including aerospace, energy, critical minerals and advanced technologies such as quantum computing, satellites and supercomputing, Carney’s office said in a statement.

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Sunday’s meeting also follows Trump’s announcement of a deal on Greenland that would expand the US military presence there while keeping the island under Danish control. The agreement followed months of threats by Trump to seize the semiautonomous territory of a NATO ally.

Macron welcomed the agreement Saturday. “Danish sovereignty is being respected, international law is being respected," he said. "Anything that helps ease tensions is a good thing.” 

(FRANCE 24 with AP)