European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Strasbourg alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the EU prepares for its annual State of the Union debate.Carney arrived at the European Parliament on Wednesday morning, where he was formally welcomed by Metsola and von der Leyen before attending the State of the European Union address and subsequent plenary debate.Greeting the Canadian leader, Metsola highlighted what she described as the shared outlook and values connecting Canada and Europe.“We see the world through the same lens. We share the same values,” the Maltese European Parliament President said.“We know that, when it matters most, standing together makes us stronger.”Carney is attending the State of the Union as a guest of honour, with von der Leyen using the annual address to outline the Commission’s work over the past year and its priorities for the year ahead.His presence in Strasbourg comes amid efforts to deepen ties between Canada and the EU, particularly in areas including trade, investment and security. The Canadian government has described Europe as a “natural partner” as it looks to diversify its international relationships.Carney is also scheduled to address the European Parliament during its Strasbourg plenary session on Thursday, following an invitation from Metsola.The visit puts the growing Canada-EU relationship firmly in the spotlight, with Metsola framing cooperation between the two sides as increasingly important in a changing geopolitical landscape.What do you make of this?•