EU replaces associate-membership language with “ever closer association” in Canada summit declaration

The European Union has omitted any mention of "associate membership" from the draft joint declaration that is set to be adopted at the EU-Canada summit in Montreal. The change follows objections from Germany and replaces the term with a commitment to "ever closer association" between the bloc and Canada, short of full membership.

The revision, introduced at Germany’s request, was circulated to member states on Wednesday and is now being processed under the EU’s silent-procedure rule, which adopts a text unless a member explicitly objects. Germany, France, Italy and Greece raised concerns about the earlier draft.

European Council President António Costa’s office has been in talks with several member states, with Germany leading the opposition. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously suggested a similar status for Ukraine to provide security guarantees before full accession.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had initially floated the idea of Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member in her State of the Union address to the European Parliament. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, however, preferred the phrase "alliance for the future" and said the substance of the agreement should take precedence over terminology.

The revised text has been resubmitted for silent procedure and will be adopted unless any EU country objects later this afternoon.