Canada could become an associate member of the EU
EU President Ursula von der Leyen has made an unexpected proposal. She has invited Canada to become the first country outside of Europe to be granted the status of associate member of the European Union (EU).
The proposal marks a historic change in how the EU cooperates with countries outside the European continent. Until now, the associate membership scheme has primarily been reserved for countries that are part of the EEA agreement, including Norway.
An associate membership would entail closer political and economic cooperation between the EU and Canada. This could, among other things, mean simpler trade rules, closer cooperation on security policy, and joint solutions to global challenges such as climate change.
For Norway, this is an important development to monitor. Since Norway is already part of the EEA, we have a unique relationship with the EU. If Canada is granted a similar status, it could eventually affect how the EU organizes its agreements with countries that are outside the union itself.
It is currently unclear exactly what such a membership would look like in practice, and the proposal must be thoroughly discussed by the EU member states. If the agreement is implemented, it would be a major step for transatlantic cooperation between Europe and North America.