EU, Canada Explore ‘Associate Member’ Status Despite Opposition Within Bloc

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the European Union and Canada were continuing to explore Canada becoming the EU’s first “associate member”.

The proposal faces opposition within the bloc, with the term considered so divisive among member countries that it was left out of a joint declaration.

Germany and several other EU countries oppose the term, which has no legal meaning.

Broader cooperation on the agenda

Speaking at a Canada-EU summit in Montreal, von der Leyen said the two sides aimed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate, energy and security.

The areas under discussion indicate that the relationship is being considered beyond the question of membership, although the associate member label remains contested within the EU.

Deeper ties with Europe form part of Prime Minister Carney’s strategy to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States amid strained relations under Trump.

The discussions therefore combine wider cooperation with a politically sensitive debate over how Canada could be linked to the European Union.

Source: South China Morning Post