Mark Carney proposes associate EU membership for Canada
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Expresso das Ilhas
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is backing the idea of associate membership of the European Union for Canada, supported by Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa. The proposal, discussed at a bilateral summit in Montreal, faces opposition from Germany and France, Expresso das Ilhas reports.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed that Canada become the first associate member of the European Union, a formula backed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The proposal was put forward on Thursday, the first of two days of the Canada-EU bilateral summit in Montreal, Expresso das Ilhas reports.
Von der Leyen recalled that Canada could not become a full member of the Union for geographical reasons, but argued for taking the relationship to the highest level possible. Costa supported the ambition while leaving open the possibility of using a different label.
The term “associate member” does not exist in the EU’s institutional framework and remains contested in discussions among the 27 member states on the summit’s joint declaration. Germany believes the status should be reserved for Ukraine. France opposes the term, criticising von der Leyen for putting forward the proposal without first consulting member states.
Negotiations concern a 46-point declaration. A source close to the discussions told the EFE news agency that the issue goes beyond the choice of words and concerns the concrete strengthening of relations, particularly through joint projects.
