Canada and EU launch closer alliance as associate membership label remains unsettled

Canada and the European Union launched an “Alliance for the Future” at a two-day summit in Montreal, while leaving the proposed designation of Canada as the EU’s first “associate member” out of their joint declaration.

The declaration calls for a deeper economic, security and foreign-policy partnership based on closer industrial cooperation, more resilient supply chains and reduced trade and investment barriers. The two sides also announced progress on digital trade, European investment in Canadian critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

EU member states had removed the associate membership term from a draft before the summit. Germany, France and Italy were among the countries that raised concerns, according to Deutsche Welle, including that EU treaties do not provide for such a status and that governments had not been sufficiently consulted. Diplomats also noted that the same term had previously been discussed as a possible interim arrangement for Ukraine on a path toward full EU membership, unlike Canada.

Despite the omission, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that negotiations were continuing toward “the deepest possible partnership, short of accession,” with the goal of concluding an agreement when he attends meetings of European leaders in June. European Council President António Costa confirmed the invitation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said there was broad support for bringing Canada much closer to the EU, despite disagreement over the terminology.

Carney said the partnership was intended to reinforce sovereignty and was not directed against any country.