France, Sept. 18 -- Home to around 6,000 people and lying about 20 kilometres off Newfoundland, the archipelago is the last surviving territorial remnant of France's former North American empire - French soil beside Canada but more than 4,000 kilometres from Paris.

Carney's trip on Sunday will be the first official visit to the islands by a Canadian prime minister. It comes as Canada looks increasingly towards Europe and both sides explore a much closer relationship.

Just days before the meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed an unprecedented new relationship with Canada, potentially giving it a new form of association with the European Union.

Canada is not seeking full EU membership, but Carney on Thursda...