EU opens door for Canada to become its first associate member, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ​said the European Union is ‌opening the door for Canada to become the first associate ​member, a status that ​does not exist under the ⁠bloc's treaties. Photo: AP Photo/Pascal Bastien

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ​said the European Union is ‌opening the door for Canada to become the first associate ​member, a status that ​does not exist under the ⁠bloc's treaties.

"Partnerships are a strategic ​choice for Europe. But they ​also respond to the fracture in the international rules-based system," von ​der Leyen said in ​her annual State of the European Union ‌address ⁠in Strasbourg.

"We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, ​from ​the Arctic ⁠to geopolitics. 

"And we have stood together: ​on Ukraine, on defence, ​on ⁠raw materials and on supply chains. But above all ... ⁠Europe ​and Canada believe ​in democracy."

Canada's Prime Minister ​Mark Carney said earlier this week Canada was seeking a "unique alliance" with the EU but not membership. ‌Von ⁠der Leyen invited Carney to join her in Strasbourg and he will make his own address on Thursday.

Carney's European trip follows a historic breakdown in Canada-US relations after trade talks collapsed last month, sparking a series of tit-for-tat tariff measures.

"I said we ​must urgently reimagine our ​partnerships. 

"So, I ⁠would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU," von ​der Leyen said.

She added the EU and Canada will work ​together on ⁠across sectors from manufacturing to AI, critical minerals and energy.

"We will work on intelligent manufacturing. We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defence industrial bases. 

"We will make ⁠the ​Arctic a flagship joint project," she said.

Von der Leyen ​added "this is a partnership not against anyone else" in a possible effort to avoid antagonising US President ​Donald Trump.