BRUSSELS — EU countries have dropped the idea of offering Canada “associate member” status in the 27-member bloc, opting instead for softer language promising “ever closer association” ahead of a landmark EU-Canada summit, according to the latest version of the draft statement, seen by POLITICO.
A group of countries including Germany, Italy, Greece and France all objected to mentioning associate membership in a joint EU-Canada statement to be issued in Montreal, the diplomats said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had originally proposed “associate membership” for Canada in her State of the European Union speech in September, catching some EU countries off-guard.
A previous draft of the joint statement had read that the EU and Canada would “work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of Associate Member that will reflect, through this even closer association, our common endeavour and cooperation towards our shared goals of prosperity, economic security and strategic autonomy.”
In the final version, the text reads: “We will create an even closer association between Canada and the EU… and work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of an ever closer association of Canada to the EU, short of full membership itself.”
The text still needs final approval. EU countries have a deadline of 6 p.m. to raise objections.
