The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today proposed that Canada become the first associated member of the European Union (EU), bringing the two blocks to the highest possible level.
© REUTERS/Yves Herman
16/09/2026
by
Lusa
“I would like to work with you to open the door for Canada to be the first member of the EU,” said Ursula von der Leyen, addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who today attended the sixth speech of the EU’s executive leader in the European Parliament.
“We will move from CETA [EU-Canada Global Trade and Economic Agreement] to an Alliance for the Future, with the aim of creating an area of common prosperity and economic security,” he added, highlighting Arctic security as a common concern.
Carney will address MEPs on Thursday in a speech that Von der Leyen will be attending.