EU Opens Door to Canada as First Associate Member, Carney Visits Strasbourg
European leaders welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the European Parliament, where Ursula von der Leyen proposed Canada as the EU's first associate member.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, in a visit that underscored Brussels' push for closer ties with Ottawa.
Speaking during her annual State of the European Union address, von der Leyen said she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member. "Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy," she said, adding that power does not belong to the strongest, the richest or the loudest, but to all, and that democracies have the freedom to choose with whom to work.
The overture comes as US tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe. Carney has called for a "unique alliance" with the EU as Canada looks to reduce its heavy dependence on US trade.
Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader "Alliance for the Future" aimed at creating a common prosperity and economic security space.
The Canadian Prime Minister received a standing ovation from European lawmakers. He is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday.