The European Union is backing away from the idea of making Canada an associate member of the 27-nation bloc, sources tell CBC News.
A joint statement expected to be released at the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Friday will instead use softer language promising closer ties, according to sources who have seen the latest draft of the statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised many last month when she announced the EU would begin the process of making Canada its first associate member — a status that does not exist within the bloc — raising questions among some members and Canadian politicians about what that would look like.
News that the summit’s joint statement won’t mention associate membership was first reported by Politico.
Sources with knowledge of the draft statement between Canada and the EU told CBC News the term “associate member” has been removed and the draft now calls for an “ever closer association.”
They stressed the statement is still a draft and could change before the week’s end.
Canada’s new relationship with EU will be ‘closer to membership’ than ever, senior officials say
A source speaking to CBC News on the condition they not be named because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly added that this doesn’t mean the substance of the agreement changes.
Another source said some EU countries opposed the term “associate member,” particularly Germany who called it a red line.
EU agreement ‘names or nomenclature’ don’t matter, says Carney
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the title of Canada’s relationship to the EU shouldn’t matter as long as it delivers for Canadians.
“The good news is it doesn’t matter about specific names or nomenclature,” he said.
“What matters is the difference that it will make to the lives of Canadians … and Canada as a whole becoming a more independent, more sovereign nation, so we can live our lives as we choose.”
