The Tánaiste Simon Harris is to discuss the prospect of Canada forming stronger ties with the European Union in a meeting with his Canadian counterpart today at the conclusion of a two-day informal meeting of EU finance ministers at Dublin Castle.
The Tánaiste is the deputy head of government of the Republic of Ireland and second highest ranking member of the executive branch, equivalent of the deputy prime minister in other parliamentary systems.
Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is attending Day Two of Ecofin – a high-level gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors being held as part Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Mr Harris is expected to tell Mr Champagne today that the EU and Canada enjoy “many shared values” and that he strongly supports the idea of pursuing a closer relationship.
He will add that closer EU-Canada cooperation would be a positive expression of multilateralism at a time of considerable global uncertainty.
Barry Lenihan, RTE: Harris to discuss European ties with Canadian minister