BRUSSELS
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Thursday that countries Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada in pursuing a proposed “associate membership” with the European Union.
Speaking to Euronews ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address to the European Parliament, Metsola said the proposed status could offer a framework between full EU membership and candidate status.
“There are countries with which we want to deepen our relationship,” said Metsola, adding that the initiative could encourage other countries to seek closer cooperation with the EU.
“I don’t doubt that it will include other countries, and others will come knocking at our door,” she said. “In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters.”
Metsola said discussions on the technical details of associate membership remain at an early stage, but could include deeper trade ties, access to critical raw materials and greater regulatory cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed “associate membership” for Canada in her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday.
The proposal comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify its international partnerships amid heightened trade tensions with the US, Canada’s largest trading partner.
US President Donald Trump said Washington could consider imposing additional tariffs on the EU if Canada’s potential closer relationship with the bloc becomes “hostile.”
Metsola rejected the suggestion that the EU’s proposed cooperation with Canada was directed at the US.
She said the EU approaches its relationships with Canada and the US separately, and described the bloc as an advocate of rules-based international cooperation.
