The EU offers Canada to become its first associate member
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Strasbourg to consider this new status.
Quick Look
Ursula von der Leyen proposed during her speech in Strasbourg to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada become the first associate member of the European Union.
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Why It Matters
Annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“We want to raise relations with Canada to the highest possible level (...) I would therefore like to work with you towards the possibility of Canada becoming the first associate member of the EU.”
These are the words of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, invited Wednesday to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, during his annual speech on the State of the Union.
Europe from the Pacific to the Urals? A utopia? Although associate member status is not yet legally defined by the treaties, this could allow Ottawa to attend certain EU ministerial meetings or summits, without having voting rights.
However, many countries are already linked in one way or another to the European Union, with “Europe” not appearing as a single geographical, political or economic whole. A brief overview of these Europes with variable geography, in four maps rich in paradoxes.
Open Questions
- What will be the exact legal content of associate member status?
