Yes, hello, Johannes Perterer from Austrian National Television. My question relates to Canada.

On the weekend, there was a Wall Street Journal article that Prime Minister Mark Carney is working on a unique sort of association agreement with the EU and,

last night he said that Canada is working on a unique alliance with the EU.

Could the Commission, explain further what is need, what is,

what this actually means in detail and what is, to be expected. Thank you. Many thanks for your question, Johannes.

We have no comment on the article you referenced.

What I can recall from this podium is that Canada is a strategically important partner for the European Union and indeed a close friend. We deeply value this cooperation.

You will recall that at our EU-Canada summit last year, we set a very high level of ambition for cooperation across the board. This year our ambition is even higher.

I remind you that the next edition of the EU-Canada summit will take place on 29 and 30 October.

But before then, as you're all very well aware,

Prime Minister Carney will be the special guest at the SOTEU address to be delivered by President von der Leyen this Wednesday,

and.

I'm sure that our President will have something positive and meaningful to say about EU Canada relations in her speech,

and we look forward to hearing those remarks as she delivers them on Wednesday morning.

Other questions on this topic for us here. Hello Umberto Bacchi from Agence France Presse.

I was wondering whether you can tell us just a little bit more, in view of the summit and also still of what's actually on the table in the discussions with Canada,

what is, you know, closer partnership could look like, what are the topics that you're discussing with them. Thank you.

Nice try, but I won't be saying more at this precise point in time. Vitalyi, give it a go.

Just clarification,

do you expect that Canada could join loan for Ukraine support and maybe you expect that Canada could further participate in covering this gap budget gap for Ukraine which are not covered by Ukrainian loan. Nice try, Vitalyi. Same answer to you. Anyone else want to have a go? Here at the back.

Prime Minister Mark Carney seems to suggest that he's seeking negotiations specifically on this unique alliance.

Can you just tell us whether the Canadian authorities have been in touch asking for these specific negotiations,

you know, and I'm wondering as well, could you explain to us what precedent exists for this?

Because it seems that there is no associate membership on the table for any candidate countries or any other country in the world right now.

So could you clarify the legal precedents for this? Thank you for your question.

That was the best attempt so far, and the answer remains the same, and with that,

we are formally going to close down the foreign affairs chapter of today's meeting and turn to other topics. Gian Volpicelli.