Thread by @tepsaeu

#EuropeChats Episode 7⃣ premieres at 09:30 via @YouTube ! Join us LIVE to discuss #EU-Canada relations with 🇨🇦 Ambassador to 🇪🇺 @Ailish_Campbell

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

🔴 And we are live! Join us over on @YouTube NOW for #EuropeChats episode 7⃣

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

We have another special guest today: @Ailish_Campbell, Canadian Ambassador to the EU, to discuss EU-Canada relations. 🇨🇦 🇪🇺

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

TEPSA Secretary-General @CloosJim will be interviewing the Ambassador and discussing these relations.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“I like to say that we are very early investors in the fundamental condition of European solidarity and that is PEACE.” @Ailish_Campbell discussing the early relationships between the EU and Canada. 🕊️

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"PM @JustinTrudeau has had a very close relationship with @EUCouncil President @CharlesMichel […] and it has translated to an incredible relationship with the two presidents." @Ailish_Campbell on EU-Canadian leaders

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"Knowing the United States better than anyone else, [Canada] knows about the importance of community, state level, and federal relationships.” @Ailish_Campbell on Canada-US relationships’ advantages.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"What was it like to be the new Canadian Ambassador coming into Europe in the midst of a pandemic?" @CloosJim asks about the difficulties of being deployed in a new country during #COVID19.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"There were no #vaccines, Belgium was in the middle of the third wave, and I was moving my family overseas.” @Ailish_Campbell on the first arrival in Belgium.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"How do you evaluate CETA? What is your assessment of the agreement today?" @CloosJim asks how has the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement progressed.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“We were fortunate to have [CETA] during the pandemic, it was stress-tested[…]During the pandemic, Canada saw a low decrease of goods trade, and a big part is that we had invested in a strong supply chain” @Ailish_Campbell on CETA

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“From the Canadian point of view, how did you handle [COVID19]? What were the most striking challenges you faced both nationally and in relations to foreign powers?”@CloosJim asks the impacts of #COVID19 in Canada.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“We’ve benefited from strong, social, health institutions. What was unprecedented about this was the closure of the Canada-US border” @Ailish_Campbell commenting on #COVID19 ’s impact.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“[COVID19 has been very] challenging for the EU, because it is a complicated animal, and we have all those various layers of competences.” @CloosJim reflecting on the challenges of #COVID19 for the EU.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“That period was full of surprises. It was full of questions around who was going to get how many vaccines, and when. The companies involved couldn't guarantee production” @Ailish_Campbell on the earlier vaccines situation.

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“Thank you to the EU, which was always exporting. At the end of the day, 50% of production in the EU was exported. If this is open strategic autonomy, I think you passed the first test.” @Ailish_Campbell on EU exports through COVID.

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“I’m encouraging the EU Member States and institutions to look at transparency, knowing the supply chain, and where the production was happening” @Ailish_Campbell on EU vaccine production and knowing its ins and outs

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“It is our responsibility as rich countries […] to get the vaccines to other parts of the world that have trouble getting them. Are you satisfied on how Canada and the EU have handled this?” @CloosJim on vaccine inequity.

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“The EU and Canada are committed multilateralists. […] President @vonderleyen has been passionate on this issue, ensuring that medicines are getting to the most vulnerable countries.” @Ailish_Campbell on vaccine distribution.

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“I think the fact that, from the very beginning, we have been working together at the WHO, is another sign of the global level of this partnership.” @Ailish_Campbell on the evolving EU-Canada relationship.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE

“#ClimateChange is a vital issue for Canada, for the EU and for the whole world. What is your take on #COP26 and how do you think Canada together with the EU can move in this key area?” @CloosJim on the fight against climate change.

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

"We got more specific at #COP26, which includes commitments for ending coal, reductions of methane, an increased commitment on climate adaptation and financing for developing countries to address climate change."

- @Ailish_Campbell

@Canada2EU @CanadaUE

This concludes our special episode of #EuropeChats with Canadian Ambassador to the EU @Ailish_Campbell – do check out this one and the rest of our episode of the show.

@AspenInstitute @Canada2EU @CanadaUE