French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have pledged to deepen ties as both countries face growing geopolitical tensions, climate challenges and concerns over democratic values. The two leaders met on Sunday in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French territory off Canada’s Atlantic coast, for talks on strengthening cooperation.

Macron’s visit to Saint-Pierre was the first by a French president since 2014. Carney became the first Canadian prime minister to visit Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. The meeting came weeks after US President Donald Trump shared an image showing the islands, along with Canada and several other parts of North America, under the US flag.

Canada is seeking stronger relations with the European Union as its trade dispute with the United States has become increasingly tense. Carney said Canada and France must respond together to several challenges facing their societies.

"Our societies are being ⁠shaken by new storms: the upheavals caused by climate change, the erosion of democratic norms, and new threats to our sovereignty," Carney said in a statement alongside Macron. "The time has come to strengthen our ties."

Macron said the two countries had agreed to expand cooperation in several areas, including space, climate and energy. He also highlighted their shared support for democratic institutions, international law and free trade.

"We both believe in democracy, the rule of law, respect for international law, respect for free and fair trade, science as the basis for our decisions, and the strategic autonomy that we defend," he said.

Diplomats said Macron’s visit carried symbolic importance after Trump’s social media post. The image showed the US flag over a map covering the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It was labelled "United States of America" and included Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as well as French Caribbean territories.

Macron rejected any suggestion that the French territories could not remain French. Responding to questions about Trump’s post, he said he did not need to reaffirm their status every day just because "people have strange ideas or say strange things."

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon holds strategic importance for France due to its location near North America and the Arctic. The territory plays a role in France’s energy cooperation with Canada.

Facing domestic pressure over rising fuel prices, Macron said the talks could lead to concrete bilateral agreements. France wants Canada to increase its liquefied natural gas exports to Europe instead of focusing mainly on Asian markets.

"Canadian liquefied natural gas projects can help. They are important for Europe," Macron said.

The leaders also discussed Canada’s ties with the EU. The bloc has opened the possibility of allowing Canada to become its first associate member, a move Macron said France supports. Deeper integration could still face obstacles. More than a decade after the EU and Canada agreed on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and nine years after its provisional application began, several EU members, including France, have yet to ratify it.