4 minWorld
Carney targets June deadline to finalize Canada’s EU associate membership
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects to conclude negotiations with the European Union in June on a partnership that would make Canada the bloc’s first associate member, though the term was left out of a joint declaration.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that he expects to conclude negotiations with the European Union in June on an unprecedented partnership that would make Canada the bloc’s first « associate member ». The designation was absent from a joint declaration issued after a two-day summit in Montreal that launched a new economic and security alliance, even as Carney said his government was working toward the deepest possible relationship short of full accession.
Carney said he would attend a meeting of European leaders in June to finalize the proposed relationship, which would stop short of full EU membership. « In parallel, we are working towards the deepest possible partnership, short of accession — with Canada becoming the European Union’s first Associate Member, » Carney said. The joint declaration, however, made no mention of associate membership. Instead, the leaders committed to define an « ever-closer association » by their next summit in 2027.
European Council President António Costa said the alliance would be the closest relationship the EU has ever established with a country outside the bloc. It would expand cooperation on trade, research and security at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war is straining ties with traditional allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argued that shared values matter more than geography in deciding which countries should work together. « It is not so important where the countries are on the map, » she said. « What is important are the values that a country defends and where countries stand in international relations. »
Carney said the alliance would strengthen the sovereignty of both Canada and Europe and help them withstand economic shocks together. « And it means, at its base, sovereignty, greater resilience, an ability to withstand shocks together, » he said. He added that the partnership would make life more affordable, give consumers more choices and create opportunities for businesses, young people and researchers.
Von der Leyen has pushed for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member, despite resistance from some European governments to the designation. Carney has also used the term but has stressed that the benefits of the partnership matter more than its name. « We want Canada as close a partner as possible to the European Union, » von der Leyen said. « We know that Canada cannot be a full-fledged member of the European Union, but to have a relationship as close as possible, this is our goal. »
The two sides are also building a broader cooperation framework with other trusted partners on critical minerals, resilient supply chains, artificial intelligence and space. Leaders are expected to announce a digital trade agreement on Friday, along with initiatives to expand scientific research partnerships and university student exchanges. Von der Leyen has said the sides would also finalize an agreement giving Canadian companies and researchers access to Europe’s network of supercomputers to develop artificial intelligence.
The stakes are heightened by Canada’s trade dependence on the United States. Trump has suggested that Canada’s proposed EU arrangement could be a « hostile act » and has threatened tariffs on Europe if he considers it unfriendly. The United States accounted for 71.7 percent of Canada’s merchandise exports in 2025, underscoring the challenge Carney faces as he seeks to double exports to other countries over the next decade.
Separately, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution proposed by the United States calling for a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, a reminder of the wider diplomatic agenda facing major powers this year.
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