Diplomats said several countries, including Germany, Greece,
and France, opposed mentioning associate membership in the joint EU-Canada
statement, which is expected to be released during an upcoming summit in
Montreal.
An earlier version of the statement said the EU and Canada
would “work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of Associate
Member that will reflect, through this even closer association, our common
endeavour and cooperation towards our shared goals of prosperity, economic
security and strategic autonomy.”
The wording was changed in the latest draft. The document
now states: “We will create an even closer association between Canada and the
EU... and work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of an ever
closer association of Canada to the EU, short of full membership itself.”
Despite the disagreement over wording, Brussels has not
abandoned its proposal to significantly expand its partnership with Canada.
“The good news is it doesn’t matter about specific names or
nomenclature,” Canadian PM Mark Carney said.
“What matters is the difference that it will make to lives
of Canadians.”