Warm words on Canada's EU 'associate membership' but no guarantees

Figure caption, Watch: Is Canada about to join the EU?

Is Canada about to join the EU? Headlines across Europe indicate a lot of confusion right now.

The EU constitution rules that possibility out as Canada is geographically outside Europe.

But in a speech on Thursday to the European Parliament, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said: "Canada and Europe should secure our strategic autonomy through deep cooperation in the full range of strategic capabilities."

Mark Carney was responding – extremely warmly – to an invitation by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Canada to become the EU's first associate member.

The EU and Canada already have a far-reaching trade deal (Ceta) in place but Carney insisted additional cooperation on energy and economic security, on critical and raw materials, education, tech and AI innovation, and defence would help safeguard all countries involved.