EU drops ‘associate member’ wording for Canada

EU governments have removed the phrase "associate membership" for Canada from the draft joint statement for this week's EU-Canada summit in Montreal. In its place, the text now promises an "ever closer association" between the two sides, according to the latest draft, which POLITICO Europe has seen. Diplomats said Germany, Italy, Greece and France all objected to the term. The change puts a hold on the most eye-catching part of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's September offer, though both sides say they still want the closest relationship the bloc has ever had with a non-member.politico.eu

From 'associate member' to 'ever closer'

An earlier draft committed the two sides to "define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of Associate Member." The revised text instead pledges to define "an ever closer association of Canada to the EU, short of full membership itself," POLITICO reported. Reuters said Germany led the group of objecting countries. Diplomats told Reuters those governments could not sign up to a concept that had no legal status and had not yet been worked out.reuters.com+1

"The main concern is that this is unknown terminology, it might bring up legal uncertainty and expectations from other third countries," one diplomat told Euronews. Four countries objected to Tuesday's draft before the deadline. The new wording was put forward at Germany's insistence and circulated again Wednesday under a procedure that adopts the text automatically unless a member state objects, Euronews reported. The deadline for objections is 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to POLITICO.politico.com+2

Carney plays down the label

Prime Minister Mark Carney will host von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Montreal on Thursday and Thursday, October 29 and 30. On Tuesday, Carney said the summit would be "the launch of further formal discussions, negotiations, over the course of the next year," The Canadian Press reported. "The good news is it doesn't matter about specific names or nomenclature," he told reporters, CBC News reported.cbc.ca+1

Senior EU officials described the summit as one of the bloc's most important. "It's building a partnership that comes closer to membership than anything we've ever done before," one official said, according to CBC.cbc.ca

Trade, minerals and Washington

The two sides are expected to discuss a European Investment Bank deal to fund Canadian critical minerals projects, energy cooperation, and access to EU research and education programs, CBC reported. Closer ties with Europe are central to Carney's effort to reduce Canada's reliance on the United States after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs. That effort also risks angering Trump while Canada-U.S. trade talks are still underway, Reuters noted.reuters.com+1

The summit falls on the 10th anniversary of the signing of CETA, the EU-Canada trade agreement. Nine EU members, including France, Italy and Greece, have still not ratified it, The Canadian Press reported.bradfordtoday.ca