The European Union and Canada have removed references to Canada becoming an EU "associate member" from the joint declaration of their summit in Montreal, GB News reports.
The final text instead commits both sides to define, by the 2027 EU-Canada summit, an "ever closer association" of Canada with the EU, short of full membership. Earlier drafts had referred to associate membership at least twice.
The idea was floated six weeks ago by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but surprised most EU capitals, as the concept has no legal basis in the treaties. Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pushed for the wording to be dropped, arguing it should be kept for candidate countries such as Ukraine or Montenegro. US President Donald Trump had called the plan laughable and warned he could treat it as a hostile act.
Source: GB News
