EU invites Canada to become bloc's first 'associate member'

Strasbourg: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday invited Canada to become European Union's (EU) first 'associate member'.

In her address at the State of the Union 2026 in France's Strasbourg on Wednesday, Leyen said that Canada and EU share same approach on climate change, Artificial Intelligence (AI), geopolitics and the Arctic. She noted that Canada and EU have stood together on defence, raw materials, supply chains and Ukraine.

The EU chief said that the grouping wants to take its ties with Canada to "highest level possible" and invited Canada to become a first associate member of the 27-nation bloc.

"We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics and we have stood together on Ukraine, on defence, on raw materials and supply chains. But above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy. That power does not belong to the strongest, richest and the loudest but to all of us. The democracies have the freedom to choose with whom to work. So, we are joining forces voluntarily. We will move from CETA to an alliance for the future to create a common prosperity and economic security...We will work on intelligent manufacturing," said Ursula von der Leyen.

"We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defence industrial bases. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project. We will work on energy-critical minerals and batteries on AI, quantum cyber and economic security. This is not a partnership against anyone else but for our common strength. In short, we want to bring our relationship with Canada to the highest level possible and, dear Mark, I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union," she added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended Ursula von der Leyen's speech event. The status announced by Ursula von der Leyen for Canada is new, with details yet to be made clear.

Carney met Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Strasbourg on Wednesday, with discussions held on deepening ties between Canada and EU in key areas, including critical minerals, energy, defence, research and development, and advanced technologies. Carney expressed gratitude to Metsola for the invitation to speak before the European Parliament.

"In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada is forging stronger relationships with trusted partners to build greater strategic autonomy, resilience, and sovereignty. As a close, trusted partner with shared values, the Prime Minister underscored the EU’s central role in these efforts. The leaders agreed to remain in close contact," Canadian Prime Minister's Office mentioned in a statement.

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