Carney to sign defence pacts with EU and NATO as Middle East conflict takes centre stage

Open this photo in gallery: Prime Minister Mark Carney and wife Diana Fox Carney arrive in Brussels on Sunday. Earlier, Mr. Carney issued a statement backing the U.S. and condemning Iran's nuclear ambitions.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Europe this week to sign pacts aimed at boosting defence spending. But the threat from Russia that was expected to dominate the discussion at these meetings has now taken a back seat to the escalating war in the Middle East. Mr. Carney on Monday will cement closer defence ties with the European Union through a security pact with…