EU drops ‘associate member’ idea for Canada

28 October, 09:29 PM
Europe
Canadian PM Mark Carney (Photo: REUTERS/Todd Korol)

Canadian PM Mark Carney (Photo: REUTERS/Todd Korol)

EU countries have abandoned the idea of granting Canada “associate member” status, Politico reported on Oct. 28.

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.”

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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.”

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