EU and Canada face six-month test to define a closer partnership — Politics and regulation

Following a summit in Montreal, the European Union and Canada must agree within six months on the scope of a deeper relationship, potentially including Canada as the EU’s first associate member.

MONTREAL, Canada — The European Union and Canada have agreed to pursue their closest possible relationship, but the next six months will determine what that commitment means in practice. The EU’s 27 governments and Ottawa must now define the terms of their partnership, including whether Canada could become the bloc’s first and possibly only associate member.

The urgency of the discussions was underscored at last week’s Montreal summit. Both sides describe the partnership as constructive rather than aimed at any particular country, while acknowledging shared strategic needs. They want to strengthen supply chains, combine expertise and reduce dependence on the United States and China.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told POLITICO after the summit that the partnership should not be designed around the possible response of other major powers. He said Canada and the EU were not adjusting their plans according to what the United States, China or Russia might think.

Carney said the objective was to help both sides withstand shocks and prevent rivals from taking advantage of critical dependencies. The negotiations over the coming months will establish whether that ambition can be translated into a more formal and lasting relationship.

Sources: Politico Europe.