Metsola and Carney meet in Strasbourg — and a WWII helmet goes home

Read-out from Metsola-Carney meeting Attributable to President Metsola's office President Metsola met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney today. The meeting took place after Prime Minster Carney's attendance at the SOTEU debate and ahead of his address to the Plenary tomorrow. Both leaders underlined the very strong friendship between the European Union and Canada, based on common values and interests. They discussed areas with big potential for even closer cooperation, such as critical raw materials, energy security, Artificial Intelligence, space, and secure communications, as well as defence. They also agreed that joint efforts in the Arctic and the High North are beneficial to our common security. Metsola and Carney agreed that stronger people-to-people contacts offer an opportunity to strengthen students' exchanges, mobility, and research. The strong relation between the European Parliament and Canadian Parliament was also praised, and they welcomed the opening of an EP antenna office (embedded in the EU Delegation) in Ottawa. Both leaders looked forward to the forthcoming EU-Canada Summit in October as an opportunity to advance on Canada becoming the first associate member of the EU. It was underlined that it should bring tangible benefits to both sides of the Atlantic, building on the positive societal attitude towards each other. Metsola gave Prime Minister Carney a 1940 Canadian MK II steel combat helmet used by Canadian forces during the Second World War. The helmet was found outside Caen, close to Saint-Sylvain in France in May 2025. The helmet was found in an area that was close to the war during Operation "Totalise", part of the Battle of Normandy between 7th and 10th August 1944. Canadian forces played a central role in the operation: between 600 and 700 Canadian lives were lost during the Operation that was critical in the liberation of Europe. The gift is meant as a symbol of Europe's gratitude and remembrance of those Canadians who fought and died for Europe and as a sign of the enduring friendship between Canada and Europe. The helmet is going home.