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French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to deepen ties between France and Canada.
The leaders met on Sunday in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, France’s territory off Canada’s Atlantic coast.
Their meeting came as both countries face strained relations with the United States (US).
“We both believe that our countries are two great, independent nations who want to remain so,” Macron said.
Carney also stressed the importance of protecting national sovereignty.
“History remembers those who… defend their sovereignty, those who stay true to their values,” he said.
The two leaders earlier visited a monument honouring islanders who joined the Free French forces during World War II.
Carney said the time had come to strengthen ties with France and the European Union.
He followed up on his recent visit to Brussels, where the EU offered Canada “associate member” status.
Macron said France and Canada would also work more closely on fishing, security and energy.
Carney proposed that France, Canada, the US and China cooperate on artificial intelligence.
The visit also carried strong political symbolism.
Macron has pushed for greater European strategic independence under US President Donald Trump.
Carney has also faced tensions with Trump, who has repeatedly suggested making Canada the 51st US state.
Ottawa has strongly rejected the proposal.
Trump recently shared a map showing Canada, Greenland, Mexico and other territories under the US flag.
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Macron rejected any suggestion that Saint Pierre and Miquelon could become part of the United States.
The French president said France and Canada share “the same values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for the sovereignty of nations”.
Macron’s visit to the archipelago is his first there as president and the first by a French president in more than a decade.
