The term “associate membership” has been taken out of a joint statement that’s set to be released at this week’s Canada-EU summit, according to a draft reviewed by .
However, while the statement is now expected to use gentler language about enhancing ties between the 27-member bloc and Canada, the head of the European Union’s executive body still used the term in a social media post upon her arrival in Montreal on Wednesday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen caught many off guard last month when she revealed that the EU would start moving toward making Canada its first associate member – a designation that doesn’t exist within the bloc – which raised concerns among some members and Canadian politicians regarding what it would entail.
The draft statement now refers to an “ever closer association.” It notes that this deepening relationship, often referred to as an “alliance for the future” – phrasing previously used by Prime Minister Mark Carney – will be based “in a more active foreign and security policy partnership.”
A source who spoke with on condition of anonymity mentioned that this statement is now finalized by EU member countries, but Canada could still request changes.
Another source indicated that some EU nations opposed using the term “associate member,” especially Germany, which considered it a red line.
The news regarding the omission of associate membership from the summit’s joint statement was first reported by Politico.
WATCH | ‘Names or nomenclature’ don’t matter, says Carney:
EU agreement ‘names or nomenclature’ don’t matter, says Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that what ‘matters’ at the upcoming EU summit in Montreal is ‘Canada as a whole becoming a more independent, more sovereign nation so we can live our lives as we choose.’
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday before a cabinet meeting, Carney emphasized that how Canada relates to the EU isn’t important as long as it serves Canadians well.
“The good news is it doesn’t matter about specific names or nomenclature,” he said.
“What matters is the difference that it will make to the lives of Canadians … and Canada as a whole becoming a more independent, more sovereign nation so we can live our lives as we choose.”
‘Associate member’ ambitions
Arriving in Montreal ahead of the two-day event, von der Leyen kept using “associate member.”
“An ocean separates Europe and Canada. Yet we have never felt closer. We have a new ambition: bringing Canada closer to us than ever before, as associate member of the EU,” she posted on social media.
“Montreal, we’re about to write a new chapter in our shared history.”
THE SUMMIT COMES AS THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO BOOST TRADE , INVESTMENT AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE EU BLOC AS PART OF A PLAN TO REDUCE ECONOMIC RELIANCE ON THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE UNPREDICTABLE AND VOLATILE LEADERSHIP OF U. S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.
THE VERSION OF THE EU-CANADA STATEMENT SEEN BY COMMITS TO REINFORCING “A PREDICTABLE TRADE ENVIRONMENT , DEEPENING COLLABORATION IN THE ARCTIC , COUNTERING FOREIGN INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND INTERFERENCE AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE.”
IT ALSO INCLUDES COMMITMENTS TO STRENGTHEN CO-OPERATION ON ENERGY SECURITY , BUILD UP CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND ADVANCE CO-OPERATION ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SECURITY AND SAFETY.
ON THURSDAY , CARNEY WILL HOST A ROUNDTABLE WITH BUSINESS LEADERS ON THE MARGINS OF THE SUMMIT. HE WILL THEN HOST A DINNER IN HONOUR OF VON DER LEYEN AND EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANTÓNIO COSTA.
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