Canada invited to become the EU's first-ever associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a formal invitation for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member state. The announcement was made at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with the Canadian Prime Minister in attendance, during the State of the Union address. What does the new status mean? Associate membership opens the door to much closer cooperation between the EU and Canada in strategic areas such as: Defence and the integration of security industrial bases; Energy and the green transition; Artificial intelligence (AI) and technological research; Expanded freedom of movement for people, facilitating the flow of goods, services and labour, outside the classic framework of full EU membership. "We want to take the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible. I would like to work with you to pave the way for Canada to become the first associate member state of the European Union," said Ursula von der Leyen, stressing that the partnership is built on shared democratic values and on creating a space of prosperity and economic security. The rapprochement between Brussels and Ottawa also comes as a strategic response to the tariffs pushed by the US administration under Donald Trump. Canada is already the first non-European country to take part in the EU's SAFE programme, which funds joint defence procurement and the development of the defence industry.