Canada and EU to discuss deeper economic and defence cooperation at Montreal summit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet in Montreal to explore closer ties, though the term “associate member” is being omitted from official language.
Canada and the European Union are set to hold a two-day summit in Montreal on Thursday and Friday, focusing on expanding economic, defence and research cooperation. The meeting follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s suggestion last month that Canada could become the EU’s first “associate member,” a concept that has not yet been formalised.
German officials have pushed to remove the “associate member” label from summit documents, preferring language that speaks of an “ever closer association.” Germany’s ambassador to Canada, Matthias Lüttenberg, said the term is not clearly defined for Canada and is used differently in the EU’s relationships with Ukraine and Moldova.
"Our ambition is to build the closest partnership we have ever had with a non-European country," von der Leyen told reporters after arriving in Montreal.
"The wording is emblematic of the ambition," said a senior Canadian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Carney, who addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg earlier this year, described Canada and Europe as “stronger together” amid what he called a “geopolitical rupture.” He added that the summit would “launch further formal discussions” on deepening ties and creating new opportunities for both sides.
The agenda includes a business forum with leaders from Canada and the EU, as well as negotiations on defence procurement, critical minerals, research collaboration and trade. Canada has recently secured access for its defence firms to the EU’s Security and Defence Partnership programme and signed a long-term liquefied natural gas supply deal with Germany.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the idea of Canada attaining an associate status, calling it “laughable” and warning of “very serious tariffs” on Europe if it were pursued. Canadian officials said the outreach to Europe is intended to complement, not replace, existing North-American trade relationships.