Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that Canada is pursuing the European Union’s first-ever associate membership, marking his clearest public statement on the proposal so far. He made the remarks following a meeting with EU leaders in Montreal.
Carney said Canada wants to establish the closest possible relationship with the 27-member bloc without pursuing full EU membership, citing geographical differences as a major consideration. He also expressed hope that negotiations could be completed by June.
The latest Canada-EU summit resulted in the conclusion of several negotiations and the announcement of numerous new commitments designed to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.
However, the proposed associate membership arrangement has attracted considerable attention, with some EU member states opposing the idea. This debate over the partnership’s official status has also drawn attention away from other areas of cooperation.
Carney said both sides would work over the coming months to determine the proposed membership’s structure, scope and practical implications. The financial costs and precise terms of the arrangement, however, remain unclear.
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