Germany says EU 'associate member' label for Canada should be reconsidered

Germany on Wednesday welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s call for a close partnership with Canada but said the proposed “associate member” label should be reconsidered.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters that Berlin supports deepening ties with Ottawa and is open to new partnership models. He said the terminology attached to the proposal should be looked at again.

“Canada is a particularly close partner for Europe, which is why we are open to discussing new partnership models that would reflect the special importance of this relationship,” Stefan Kornelius said. “However, we should reconsider the terminology — the label — associated with it.”

Earlier Wednesday, von der Leyen told the European Parliament that the EU needs to develop new, closer partnerships in response to mounting geopolitical and economic pressures. She said ties with Canada should be brought “to the highest level possible.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also attended the address. Speaking directly to him, she said: “I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.”

“We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world. And we will now build our shared future as well,” von der Leyen said.