Carney to push for closer ties at Canada-EU summit in Montreal

**Carney to push for closer ties at Canada-EU summit in Montreal**

For years, Canada-EU summits were generally low-key affairs, but that will not be the case at the two-day meeting set for Montreal.

The summit on Thursday and Friday is expected to draw close attention for any details on how Canada and the European bloc plan to strengthen their relationship.

Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested "opening the door" to Canada for what she described as an "associate membership" — a status that does not currently exist.

Her remarks followed Prime Minister Carney’s speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where he told EU lawmakers that Canada and Europe were "stronger together" amid "geopolitical rupture".

Carney and many EU member states support closer ties, though there is no consensus on what this new relationship should be called.

Some countries, including Germany, are questioning the term "associate member", worried that Canada could receive preferential treatment before other countries that also want to join.

According to reports from multiple news outlets, Germany and other nations successfully pushed to remove any reference to that title from a draft summit statement, replacing it with softer wording about an "ever closer association".

Germany’s ambassador to Canada, Matthias Lüttenberg, told CTV News on Tuesday that some member states were "a little surprised" by von der Leyen’s announcement.

He said the idea of "associate membership" is not clearly understood when applied to Canada.

"Germany has been using the term of associate membership for something completely different, which is the relationship of the EU to Ukraine and potentially Moldova", he said, referring to both countries’ long-running efforts to join the bloc.

Lüttenberg added, however, that neither Canada nor the EU is seeking full membership for the North American country.

Instead, both sides want to bring Canada "as close as possible" to the bloc without membership.

On the summit’s first day, Carney, von der Leyen and business leaders from Europe and Canada will attend a business forum.

Canadian officials said they also expect deals to be finalized over the two days on defence, critical minerals, research and trade.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, European officials played down the chance of a major announcement on Canada’s new relationship with the EU, saying much of it will be worked out in the coming months.

Still, Canadian and EU officials have offered some indications of what the relationship could involve, including stronger business links and more opportunities for students to study on either side of the Atlantic.

Canadian officials have also said Canada does not intend to pay a membership fee like EU countries do. Instead, it is considering participation in various EU programmes that would benefit both Canada and member states.

And despite disagreement over the wording, both sides have signalled support for deeper ties.

"The wording is emblematic of the ambition," said one senior Canadian official, who was granted anonymity to speak to reporters at a briefing before the summit.

**What could EU associate member status mean for Canada?**

Since taking office last year, Prime Minister Carney has moved Canada closer to Europe as the country continues to face an ongoing trade war with the US, its neighbour and largest trading customer.

US President Donald Trump has called the idea of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU "laughable", and has threatened "very serious tariffs" on Europe if he viewed it as a "hostile act".

Canadian officials said on Wednesday that the shift toward Europe is not intended to offend anyone, but rather to build on work already in progress.

Canada recently signed an agreement giving its defence companies procurement access to the EU’s Security and Defence Partnership programme.

It also signed a major energy deal with Germany in May that would lead to the first-ever long-term shipments of liquified natural gas from Canada to Europe in the coming years.

Carney said earlier this week that the summit would "launch further formal discussions" between Canada and the EU on deepening ties and creating new opportunities for both sides.

As for what this new relationship status will be called, the prime minister said the "nomenclature" does not matter.

"What matters is the difference it will make to the lives of Canadians," he said.