Brussels, 20/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - There will not be a second half yearly summit between the Union and Canada in 2003. The President of the European Council, Silvio Berlusconi has in fact made an apology. He is unable to go to Ottawa in the planned date because he is keen to take part in the plenary at the European Parliament on assessing the Italian Presidency, according to reports from diplomatic sources. The meeting planned for 17 December with Jean Chrétien and his team will therefore not take place. It was expected to be the last public event for the Canadian Prime Minister who has been in office for ten years and at the Head of three successive governments. Mr Chrétien has just decided to plan his retirement and on 12 December he will hand over to Paul Martin, Head of the Liberal Party.