EU removes mention of ‘associate membership’ from Canada declaration

The European Union has dropped the term associate membership from a draft declaration ahead of its summit with Canada in Montreal. The latest draft instead promises ever closer association between the EU and Canada without offering membership of the bloc. Germany strongly opposed the original wording, while France, Italy and Greece also raised concerns. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed associate membership last month, suggesting Canada could become the first country to hold that status. But Germany wants the EU to focus on what closer cooperation with Canada would mean in practice, rather than use a term that does not appear in the EU treaties and could have legal implications. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he wants to focus on the substance of the agreement, describing the relationship as an alliance for the future. The latest draft is being reviewed by EU member states and will be adopted unless a country objects.