Canada and EU deepen ties as ‘associate member’ label remains disputed

Canada and the European Union agreed to pursue closer economic and security ties at a two-day summit in Montreal, while leaving the proposed designation of Canada as an EU “associate member” out of their joint declaration.

The declaration establishes an “Alliance for the Future” aimed at reducing trade barriers, facilitating investment and strengthening cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate, energy, defense, critical raw materials, medicines and technology. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended the talks.

Von der Leyen proposed the unprecedented associate-member status in September and said Thursday that discussions were continuing. She described the concept as “association without accession,” stopping short of full EU membership. Carney said Friday that he expected negotiations on the partnership to conclude when he attends a meeting of European leaders in June.

Germany, France, Italy and other EU governments objected to using the term in the declaration, according to diplomats cited by dpa and AFP. Existing EU treaties do not provide for associate membership, and governments raised concerns about the proposal’s unclear scope and what they considered insufficient consultation. Some also noted that the same term had been discussed as a possible intermediate step for Ukraine on a path toward full membership, while Canada has no legal route to accession.

Carney said the terminology mattered less than the practical benefits of deeper cooperation. His government has sought to reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the United States amid strained trade relations with President Donald Trump’s administration.