What does it mean for Canada to become EU’s first associate member

Julia Payne Reuters Published YesterdayUpdated 46 minutes ago Open this photo in gallery: Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participate in a bilateral meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press Comments Save for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story. Log InCreate Free Account European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member.” Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney – who was in Strasbourg to listen to von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address – said Canada was seeking a “unique alliance” with the EU but not membership. What might the new relationship involve? There is currently no such status as “associate member” set out in the European Union’s treaties – though various versions of an associate-type of membership have been floated in the bloc over the years. Most recently, Germany suggested Ukraine be an associate member as an interim stage to full accession, though the proposal failed to gain traction as some EU capitals pushed back. EU chief calls for Canada to become bloc’s first associate member What is Canada seeking? Carney is seeking new alliances amid repeated threats by U. President Donald Trump against Canada’s sovereignty. Both sides want to forge deeper co-operation to counter U. S. and Chinese economic dominance as well as preserve democracy and the rules-based international order, which they see as under threat. In her speech, von der Leyen said the two sides would create a “common prosperity and economic space.” This would include joint work on manufacturing, a tech alliance, integration of defence industrial bases, the Arctic, AI, energy and critical minerals. Canada and the European Union are working on what Prime Minister Mark Carney, has called a 'unique alliance'. Here's more on what that means and why the two powers have drawn closer together. Reuters Why might the idea of ‘associate member’ be complicated? Implementing such an ’associate’ status would be unprecedented and may be legally complex. Von der Leyen was speaking in her capacity as President of the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm. It would fall on the EU member states to decide whether the idea flies. There is no suggestion von der Leyen is proposing enshrining the status of ’associate member’ in EU treaties.