EU and Canada summit in Montreal; membership term dropped
Canadian and EU leaders open a two-day summit in Montreal on 29 Oct, aimed at deepening ties in defense, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had proposed that Canada become the bloc's first associate member, but member states, led by Germany, pushed to remove the term from the draft declaration. The revised text calls for closer cooperation without membership and refers instead to an 'Alliance for the Future'. The declaration was approved by member states on Wednesday evening and is expected to be published on Friday. Canada is seeking new economic partners to reduce dependence on the United States after US tariffs.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Mark Carney, von der Leyen and Council President António Costa attend the talks.
- Germany argued the term was inappropriate because Merz had offered a similar status to Ukraine.
- The term associate membership does not exist in EU treaties, according to reporting on the dispute.
- The EU has let Canada into its defense procurement alliance and invited Canadian officials to key EU meetings.
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Why it matters
Shows how Canada is seeking closer ties with Europe as trade with the United States weakens.
What changed
First published from Bangkok Post, Asharq Al-Awsat, Anadolu Agency, DW and RTÉ News