EU countries block Canada's 'associate membership' plan
European Union member states, led by Germany, have rejected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to grant Canada 'associate membership' status. Objections arose due to a lack of clarity regarding the status and its absence in existing EU treaties, leading to a revised plan for 'closer ties' instead.
Why it matters
This decision impacts future EU-Canada relations and sets a precedent for how the EU might engage with non-member states, reflecting internal political dynamics and concerns over treaty adherence.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wanted to give Canada a special status within the EU. But Germany and other member states have raised objections ahead of a summit in Montreal.
https://p.dw.com/p/5OnRJ Prefer DW on Google Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are seeking closer ties between Canada and the EU [FILE: September 16, 2026] Image: Justin Tang/The Canadian Press/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement European Union member states have blocked a proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to grant Canada a special status as an "associate member" of the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several other EU leaders pushed to remove the term from a draft declaration ahead of a two-day EU-Canada summit beginning Thursday in Montreal, according to diplomats cited by the dpa and AFP news agencies.
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