Europe Wants Canada as Its First ‘Associate Member’, Von Der Leyen Tells Carney
Von der Leyen said the move would deepen trade, defence and people-to-people ties as Carney attended the address.
- On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union during her State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- Reports last week suggested Canada was exploring potential membership, but Carney clarified on Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival that he seeks a "unique alliance" with the economic bloc rather than full membership.
- During her address, von der Leyen proposed moving beyond a free-trade agreement to "an alliance for the future," deepening cooperation on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, and batteries.
- Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne praised the proposal for advancing ties, while Terry Reintke, leader of the Greens-European Free Alliance, quipped about hoping to see Carney in the chamber again.
- Both leaders emphasized their history of standing together on Ukraine, defence, and critical supply chains, positioning the collaboration to leverage shared values on issues from climate change to geopolitics.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Never before had a non-European leader been invited to the Strasbourg Parliament to attend the traditional speech on the state of the European Union. However, this Wednesday, Mark Carney had this privilege. The Canadian Prime Minister was able to settle in the Strasbourg hemicycle. Behind the scenes, a new relationship is being prepared whose precise outlines will be known at the next Canada-EU bilateral summit, to be held on 29 and 30 October.
The president of the EU Commission is hurling at those who despise European values and want to crush our unity. With a look at the past and a new impetus for the future
Von der Leyen proposes Canada as EU's first associate member
Von der Leyen told Carney in her Sept. 16, 2026 SOTEU speech she wants Canada as the EU’s first associate member, a status undefined in the treaties and needing all 27 states’ approval. · 60 sources across the spectrum on IJR News.
The statement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, according to which the European Union will examine the possibility of granting Canada the status of associate member, has taken the countries of the European Union to the foreground, notes...
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