EU Ambassador Encourages Canada to Explore Stronger Ties

The EU’s Ambassador to Canada, Geneviève Tuts, says the bloc is looking to “elevate” its relationship with this country and take it to the “next level.”

In an interview with the CBC’s Power & Politics on Tuesday, Tuts dismissed the idea of outright membership, but said Canada and the EU should look for “something else, something stronger than what we have today.”

“We have to be creative, we have to be innovative, and we are creative in Europe, we have ideas,” Tuts said.

Recent polling suggests the idea of Canada joining the EU is gaining in popularity within Europe. The notion has been floated by France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

A country can join the EU if it fulfills what’s known as the Copenhagen criteria, a list of specific values such stable democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights. Any European State which respects these values may apply.

While Tuts said that poses obvious geographic restrictions for Canada, “that doesn’t mean that we should not look for another form of co-operation.”

WATCH | EU looking to ‘elevate’ relationship with Canada: ambassador:

EU looking to ‘elevate’ relationship with Canada: ambassador

Power & Politics asks the European Union’s Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s belief that Europe will lead the way to a new world order, and how they see Canada fitting into it

Carney on the world stage

On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a summit of European leaders in Armenia, becoming the first non-European leader to receive such an invitation.

In a nod to his earlier Davos speech where he warned of a “rupture” in the international rules-based order, Carney suggested it will be up to Europe to repair the rift.

“That system.. has been greatly weakened and needs to be rebuilt, and rebuilt perhaps in a different way, but rebuilt based on the same principles,” he explained in Ottawa on Tuesday.

“Your prime minister gave his vision of the world,” Tuts said of Carney’s Davos speech. “We are very close to that vision and we are now working and building on that to deepen even more than before the relationship we have.”

The gathering of European leaders in Armenia came shortly after U. S. President Donald Trump accused the bloc of failing to comply with a trade deal struck last year and threatened to raise tariffs on EU-made cars and trucks from 15 to 25 per cent.

Trump also announced plans to withdraw 5,000 U. S. troops stationed in Germany following a spat with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his response to the war in Iran.

Mount Ararat is seen in the distance as Prime Minister Mark Carney departs Yerevan, Armenia after attending the 8th European Political Community Summit on Monday. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Risk to Canada likely low

Roland Paris, director of the graduate school of public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa and a former adviser to Justin Trudeau says unlike Merz, Carney understands what provokes Trump.

“He’s talking really tough in these speeches but in practice he’s avoiding provoking Trump again and again,” Paris said.

“Talking about a rupture in order and other countries needing work together strengthen strategic autonomy; I don’t think there’ll be any significant cost for Canada saying that.”

While there are no formal talks for Canada pursuing EU membership , leaders continue deepening transatlantic ties.

Last June , Canada , and , the EU announced new strategic partnership strengthen co-operation across trade , technology , energy , and security.

Tuts hopes see developments Canada’s Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement “soon.”

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