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EU opens door for Canada to become its first associate member, von der Leyen says

Global Published 16 September 2026, 13:13 · archived 16 Sep 2026

BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become its first “associate member”, a status that is not set out in the bloc’s treaties. Von der Leyen’s announcement is a significant shift in EU policy. The bloc has historically resisted flexible categories and EU members were lukewarm in reacting to Germany’s proposal in May of associate membership for Ukraine as a stepping stone to full accession. “Partnerships are a strategic choice for Europe. But they also respond to the fracture in the international rules-based syste...

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