Harris to discuss European ties with Canadian minister

Tánaiste Simon Harris discussed the prospect of Canada forming stronger ties with the European Union in a meeting with his Canadian counterpart at the conclusion of a two-day informal meeting of EU finance ministers at Dublin Castle.

Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was attending day two of Ecofin - a high-level gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors being held as part Ireland's EU Presidency.

It comes after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's surprise offer for Canada to become "the first associate member" of the EU during Wednesday’s State of the Union speech in Strasbourg.

Mr Harris told Mr Champagne that the EU and Canada enjoy "many shared values" and that he strongly supports the idea of pursuing a closer relationship.