The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed opening the door for Canada to become “the first associate member” of the European Union, as part of a new phase in bilateral relations aimed at strengthening their economic, technological, industrial, and defense ties.
In the presence of the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, the head of the European Executive proposed taking this step during her speech on the State of the Union (SOTEU) before the plenary of the European Parliament gathered in Strasbourg (France), which welcomed the Canadian leader with applause and where he will deliver a speech this Thursday.
“Dear Mark, I have said that we must urgently rethink our alliances. That is why I would like to work with you to open the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union. We share an ocean, the same values, and the same way of seeing the world. And now we will also build our common future,” the German stated, amid an ovation and applause for Carney from those present in the plenary.
Von der Leyen framed her proposal within the need to “urgently reimagine” the EU’s alliances in the face of the “fracture” of the international rules-based system, arguing that Europe must build new coalitions with partners who share its values to strengthen its resilience and democracies.
“In this new world, we must urgently rethink our alliances and build global coalitions to strengthen our resilience and our democracies. And here, only Europe, because of its size and power, can take the initiative. That is why I have invited the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, here today,” she added, describing his presence as “a symbol of the enduring friendship” between the two peoples.
Von der Leyen highlighted the “cultural, historical, and personal ties” between the EU and Canada, as well as emphasizing that both see “the world through the same eyes,” from Artificial Intelligence to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics. “And we have remained united: in Ukraine, in defense, in raw materials, and in supply chains,” she added.
Building on this relationship, Von der Leyen proposed that the EU and Canada move from the current CETA trade agreement to a “Partnership for the Future” to create “a common space of prosperity and economic security,” after highlighting that trade in goods between the two partners has increased by 75% in less than a decade.
The community president announced that this new alliance will include the creation of a technological partnership and greater integration of the European and Canadian defense industries, as well as making the Arctic “a flagship joint project.”
However, she warned that “this is not an alliance against anyone, but in favor of our strength
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