Germany, Canada discuss submarines and closer cooperation

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed ways to deepen cooperation between their countries on Saturday.

Speaking after the talks on the sidelines of a conference in Toronto, Klingbeil said both sides agreed on the strategic importance of the partnership and saw scope to expand it further.

He cited areas including artificial intelligence, energy, critical raw materials and defence projects.

Klingbeil, who is also Germany’s finance minister, said he had again promoted German-built submarines in his meeting with Carney.

Germany is seeking to persuade Canada to join a German-Norwegian submarine partnership. Kiel-based submarine builder TKMS is hoping for an order from Canada.

Klingbeil said it was highly important for Germany to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion.

At the Global Progress Action Summit, Klingbeil presented Germany's debt-financed €500 billion ($589 billion) special fund for investment in infrastructure and measures to tackle climate change.

He said the fund showed that Germany was working to modernize the country and strengthen democracy.