EU drops 'associate membership' for Canada after German-led objections
EU member states removed 'associate membership' from a draft summit declaration with Canada, replacing it with 'ever closer association' before the Montreal summit.
The story in focus
EU member states removed the term 'associate membership' from a draft EU-Canada summit declaration after objections from Germany and other countries. The revised text, approved Wednesday evening, commits to 'ever closer association' and an 'Alliance for the Future,' with the declaration expected Friday at the Montreal summit.
- Germany, France, Italy and Greece raised objections to the 'associate membership' term.
- The revised declaration calls for an 'ever closer association' and an 'Alliance for the Future.'
- EU treaties do not provide for associate membership status.
- The declaration was approved by member states on Wednesday evening and is expected Friday.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney downplayed the wording dispute.
Member states block special status
European Union member states removed the term 'associate membership' from a draft joint declaration ahead of a two-day EU-Canada summit starting Thursday in Montreal, according to diplomats cited by dpa and AFP. The revised text, approved Wednesday evening, replaces the term with a commitment to 'ever closer association' short of full membership.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first proposed the status in September. Germany, France, Italy and Greece raised issues with the proposal, with Berlin the most vocal opponent. EU treaties do not provide for such a status, and diplomats cited concerns over legal clarity and insufficient consultation with member states.
Revised declaration focuses on cooperation
The declaration now centers on an 'Alliance for the Future,' a term Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has favored. It aims to remove trade barriers, facilitate investment and secure supplies of critical raw materials, medicines and technologies in crises. Both sides also plan to deepen cooperation on energy, climate, artificial intelligence, security and education.
EU governments watered down several economic commitments from the original draft, removing an explicit goal of deeper financial market integration. The declaration also calls for a study into increasing Canadian liquefied natural gas exports to Europe. It is expected to be published Friday at the summit's end.
Why did EU member states object to granting Canada 'associate membership'?
Diplomats cited a lack of clarity, insufficient consultation with member states, and the absence of such a status in EU treaties. Germany also wanted to avoid confusion with a similar term proposed for Ukraine.
Sources & further reading
- Germany and other EU countries block von der Leyen's plan to give Canada 'associate membership' ↗DW
- EU removes mention of ‘associate membership’ from Canada declaration ↗Euronews.com
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