(NAFB News Service) In France, the President of the European Commission declared to her Parliament that she wants to bring their relationship with Canada to the highest level possible. Ursula von der Leyen stated that she wants Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union. Von der Leyen explained that, with current geopolitics, the EU needs to reimagine its partnerships. And she sees Canada as an ideal country to do that with.
The proposal did not come as a complete surprise, as Mark Carney had stated back in August that the two sides were discussing a stronger, deeper security and economic partnership. So, in his response, Prime Minister Carney was obviously in favor of enhancing the EU relationship – however, moving forward requires debates along with a final deciding vote in Ottawa, with those same procedures to happen in Brussels. However, Carney went on to say that such a unique relationship would certainly make Canada a stronger partner for everyone, including the United States.
Fabian Zuleeg is Chief Executive and Chief Economist of the European Policy Center, based in Brussels. Zuleeg says the invitation by the European Union was put forward because Canada is viewed as being a perfect fit for this unique offering.
The European Union is an economic and security coalition of 27 European countries, and it is ranked as the third-largest economy in the world. The European Union also represents about 70 percent of the current NATO membership body.
The next time Canadian and European leaders meet is coming up fast, with the Canada-EU Summit in Montreal next month. Zuleeg says that by that time, more concrete details should exist, assuming things at both Parliaments progress positively.
Again, that’s Fabian Zuleeg of the European Policy Center.
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Audio provided by NAFB News Service
Audio with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Fabian Zuleeg (ZOO-leeg), CEO of the European Policy Center
