Ursula von der Leyen proposes 'associated member' status for Canada within the EU
In her State of the Union address delivered in Strasbourg, the president of the European Commission suggested creating a new status, which does not currently exist in the treaties, to bring Canada closer to the European Union.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, proposed on Wednesday, September 16 that Canada become the first "associated member" of the European Union, according to RFI. The announcement was made during her State of the Union address, delivered in Strasbourg.
This "associated member" status does not currently exist in European treaties and its precise contours are not yet known, RFI notes. It would represent an unprecedented category in the EU's institutional framework.
According to RFI, this proposal constitutes a "very strong and symbolic" message addressed to Canada and its Prime Minister, both of whom were present in Strasbourg during the address.
The State of the Union address, an annual exercise in which the president of the European Commission presents her priorities and announcements to the European Parliament, was described by RFI as a lengthy speech, though the exact duration and full range of topics covered were not specified in the available excerpt.
The concrete details of this future status, including the rights and obligations it would entail for Canada as well as the steps necessary for its implementation, have not been detailed at this stage according to available information.
Sources
- UE: dans un discours fleuve, Ursula von der Leyen propose que le Canada devienne «membre associé» — RFI — Français
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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