STRASBOURG, France (Diya TV) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed Wednesday that Canada become the European Union’s first “associate member” as the two sides seek closer economic and security ties.
Von der Leyen announced the proposal during her annual State of the European Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in attendance.
“We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible,” von der Leyen said, proposing that the EU work with Canada on creating the new status.
The EU currently has no legal framework for associate membership. Any formal arrangement would require agreement among all 27 member states, and officials have not outlined what rights or obligations the status would include.
Carney welcomed plans for a stronger relationship with the EU but did not specifically endorse associate membership. His office said Canada and the EU discussed deeper cooperation in critical minerals, defense, artificial intelligence, energy, space, financial services and digital trade.
Canada and the EU already have a trade agreement, known as CETA. Carney has said Canada wants to build a broader economic and security alliance with Europe and double its non-U.S. trade over the next decade.
The proposal comes as Canada seeks to diversify its trade relationships following the collapse of recent trade negotiations with the United States and an escalation in tariffs between the two countries.
Von der Leyen said closer cooperation could extend to defense, technology, energy, critical minerals and Arctic security. Canada and the EU are expected to continue discussions on the structure of the proposed partnership.
