Mark Carney has set June 2027 as the deadline to make Canada the European Union's first-ever "associate member". The category, which has no precedent, has been fiercely opposed by Germany, Euronews reports.
Canada and the European Union aim to conclude negotiations on the country's potential "associate membership" of the bloc by June 2027, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday, following a bilateral summit in Montréal.
The proposed status, which has no basis in the EU treaties, is intended to bring the two allies closer across three areas: policy, programmes and governance. Its practical implications, however, remain to be negotiated.
Ahead of the summit, Germany opposed the term "associate member" during negotiations on a joint declaration. The final text instead refers to an "ever closer association". Carney, however, appeared determined to pursue the vision.
"We are working towards the deepest possible partnership short of accession, because of our geography, with Canada becoming the European Union's first associate member," Carney said at the closing press conference.
"In the coming months, we will determine the full substance, scale and scope of this new form of membership," he added.
Standing alongside him was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who surprised EU capitals in September by proposing that Canada become the bloc's first-ever associate member. The idea had not been broadly discussed with member states beforehand.
Carney, who was in the audience for her announcement, initially appeared reluctant to embrace the proposal amid concerns over its implications for Canadian sovereignty.
On Friday, however, he defended the term.
"Today, we move towards associate membership for Canada, and we launch a new alliance for the future that will deliver now and in the future with like-minded nations," he said. "We're just getting started."
Von der Leyen pointed to several immediate benefits, including Canada's full integration into the Horizon and Erasmus programmes, and the €90 billion support loan for Ukraine.
