Very happy to be here this morning. I want to thank European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for coming to Canada for this 19th Canada-European Union Summit. We got a reminder last night of just how close friends we are. When we heard that your husband had been one of those thousands of people in Gander on the difficult days following 9-11 over 20 years ago, just another example of the incredible bonds that unite us not just as three friends here, but as countries and regions that are deeply, deeply connected in our hopes and aspirations, but also in our stories and our and our challenges.

So, it's a real, real pleasure. I have to tell you, people have been talking about that story and that connection all day. It really is incredibly touching. I want to thank Premier Furey and the people of Newfoundland for hosting us here in St. John's today. And we're here today, and if you could see it through the clouds, not far from Signal Hill, where the first trans-Atlantic wireless signal came from, Europe to North America, right here on this island, up at the top of that hill, connecting our two continents, connecting Canada and Europe in new ways.

And that's what this summit is all about, building on those connections, because the world we're facing right now is incredibly challenging and difficult. There are issues coming at us from all directions, whether it's on climate, whether it's on public health emergencies, as we all went through with the pandemic, whether it's on shifting geopolitical interests, whether it's on political and violent conflicts around the world.

And the thing is, none of them are discrete. They're all interconnected. And our ability to sit down as friends and partners aligned in values, understanding clearly the challenges coming at us, rolling up our sleeves and solving for them. Sketching out the path forward for how we're going to continue not just to encourage peace, stability, security, prosperity in the world, but directly support citizens who are worried about the future, who are anxious about the present, and who need to see strong institutions and friendships and partnerships that are taking care of these big issues in a way that reassures and renders optimistic people around the world.

We're going through turbulent times right now with harrowing conflicts around the world, authoritarian movements undermining democratic values, and global inflation felt at the grocery store. And we're seeing the physical consequences of climate change. In a world of so many uncertainties, it's more important now than ever to strengthen our ties with our friends.

The great thing about our European partners is that like Canada, they're approaching these challenges in a way that builds more opportunity and builds a better future that people can believe in. That's why we're moving forward on clean energy. Not only does this unwind people's dependence on Russia's weaponized energy exports, but it also fights climate change.

A big part of what we're talking about is how Canada can help meet global demand. This means everything from the action Canada has taken to secure strong, critical minerals supply chains so that we can build batteries for EVs, energy storage and tech devices to the progress we're making on clean hydrogen, including importantly, for exports to European markets.

For example, the hydrogen project we're supporting here in the Atlantic, EverWind, will produce energy to fuel the German economy. It's a project that will help us deliver the merchandise in the hydrogen alliance signed between Canada and Germany here in Newfoundland and Labrador last year. Canada is ready to be the clean energy supplier that a carbon-neutral world needs, and we're doing it while creating good jobs at home and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Fighting climate change also means tackling the consequences. We're all facing an increase in natural disasters, such as forest fires.

This summer Canada had the worst wildfire season on record, and we were therefore deeply grateful to have hundreds of European firefighters come help us to get the blazes under control and keep people and our communities safe. But of course, since climate change is global, Europe has seen its own devastating fires, too, so sharing resources and expertise is one of the best ways to deal with the impacts of climate change. And so today I'm happy to confirm that Canada will be there to help our European friends with the latest version of De Havilland's iconic water bombers in a deal that'll create good Canadian jobs, including in Alberta, where these aircraft will be manufactured.

Yes, Canadair will be there to help Europe fight fires.

We're also strengthening our partnership through the new Canada-European Union Green Alliance, which will enable us to work together to fight climate change while building a clean and prosperous future. Working together has always been the foundation of our partnership. That's how we got the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement, which has boosted transatlantic trade and ensured high labour and environmental standards.

It's a good trade, enables us all to grow our economies, support a strong middle class, and reinforce the values we believe in. And at a time when many of our democratic values are under threat, it's more important than ever that we work together. A great example of that is in Ukraine, where Canada, where Ukraine continues to withstand Putin's illegal and violent assault on its people, its territories and its very freedoms. And Ukraine continues to need support for their defence. That's why today I'm announcing that Canada is donating over 11,000 assault rifles and over 9 million rounds of ammunition being sourced from Colt Canada, which is based in Ontario. As leaders, all three of us, we continue to stand firmly together in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity in Ukraine, in the Middle East and around the world.

You see, the peace and prosperity we've had for the last eight decades has enabled extraordinary growth and opportunity. People have benefited from a strong middle class, a well-supported social safety net with health care, dental care and child care, and the promise that they can raise their families in peace and with a good future. We are here today as friends to help secure that promise for future generations. As leaders, we're continuing that work to ensure a future that is safe, that is clean air, that has great jobs, and where there is opportunity for everyone.