Trudeau concludes Poland trip with nuclear energy co-operation deal

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KRAKOW, Poland — Canada and Poland have signed a deal which will allow Canadian companies to support Polish efforts to begin generating nuclear power, once it takes effect.

Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Donald Tusk signed Canada-Poland Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement to conclude Trudeau’s trip to Poland.

The deal is seen as a way to help reduce Poland’s reliance on coal-fired electricity and enhance energy security.

The European energy market has heavily reduced purchases from Russia since that country invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Earlier this month, Canada and Poland signed a general security and information agreement.

Once agreement is implemented, it will allow enhanced information sharing between Canadian and Polish companies in industries like defence, security, aerospace, marine and nuclear.

In December, Export Development Canada issued a letter of intent to provide up to $2 billion in financing to support the sale of goods and services from Canadian suppliers to help build Poland’s first nuclear power plant.

Trudeau is returning to Canada after the meeting, which comes a day after events to mark the 80th liberation of Auschwitz.

This will conclude what may be Trudeau’s final international trip as Canada’s prime minister before the next Liberal leader is chosen on March 9.

Poland expects to begin construction of its first nuclear reactors next year, with the plant beginning to produce power in 2033.