EU and Canada Form Alliance for the Future in Montreal

At a summit held in Montreal, the European Union and Canada announced that they are creating a new alliance for the future. According to the EU, the alliance, built on a long-standing strategic partnership, aims to deepen cooperation and establish a space of shared prosperity and economic security.

"This is a moment when we must act with a clear vision and ambition. Through closer cooperation in economic, technological and strategic terms, Canada and the European Union are creating an 'Alliance for the Future' based on trust and shared values, which matches the scale of today's challenges and opportunities and will strengthen the freedom, prosperity and security that our citizens expect and deserve. Together we are stronger," the summit statement said.

The alliance is to strengthen cooperation in six areas.

The leaders also agreed to work towards an even closer association between the EU and Canada. Before the 2027 EU-Canada summit, they will define a concept of closer association between Canada and the EU, which implies a form less far-reaching than full membership.

On September 16, while presenting her annual report to the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put forward the initiative that Canada become the first associate member of the European Union. The wording came as a surprise to member states, as it had not been agreed. It is also unclear what associate membership would mean: this form is neither provided for in the EU treaties nor has it a precedent.

Previously, Germany had proposed associate membership for Ukraine, which included specific measures of phased integration. Kyiv rejected the idea and said it wanted only full integration into the EU.