Carney, Von Der Leyen Both Want Canada as 'Associate Member' of the European Union
The leaders are negotiating digital trade, Arctic cooperation and research access as both sides look to lessen dependence on the United States.
- On Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Mark Carney opened a two-day summit in Montreal, where officials reportedly dropped the contested 'associate member' label from a draft joint statement following objections from major EU states.
- EU member states including Germany and France objected to the 'associate member' terminology, citing lack of legal basis in EU treaties and concerns the label would confuse the bloc's structure during negotiations on deepening ties.
- Focusing on substance over terminology, Carney and von der Leyen announced plans to finalize a digital trade agreement and provide Canadian researchers access to European supercomputing infrastructure by Friday.
- European Council President Antonio Costa endorsed the 'bold idea' of closer ties Thursday, while Conservative trade critic Stephanie Kusie dismissed the summit as a 'distraction' from deteriorating living standards and the ongoing trade war.
- Canada aims to reduce economic reliance on the United States amid trade tensions, with officials pursuing deeper strategic cooperation on critical minerals and Arctic security through the decade-old Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement awaiting full ratification by several members.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her goal is to take EU-Canada relations to the “highest possible level,” pushing for Ottawa to gain “associated member” status in the Union, despite the fact that the term had been rejected. The post Montreal: Not a step behind von der Leyen despite the “blockade” for “associated member” in Canada appeared first on in.gr.
Bowen Island Undercurrent
Carney, von der Leyen both want Canada as 'associate member' of the European Union
MONTREAL — Prime Minister Mark Carney now says Canada is working to become an "associate member" of the European Union, after largely avoiding that term. "We're here because we share a common mission.
In a speech at the Montreal International Relations Council, on the sidelines of the summit between the European Union and Canada, held this Thursday and Friday, António Costa stressed that at this meeting, Brussels and Otava will establish an alliance for the future and create an ever closer partnership.
"The relations between Europe and Canada do not need the mediation of the United States. We have a direct relationship between Europe and Canada. (ANSA)
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