Key facts
- EU divisions persist over granting Canada 'associate member' status.
- Several EU countries, including Germany, are blocking the proposed language.
- The disagreement will be discussed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, ahead of a summit on Thursday and Friday.
- The EU-Canada summit in Montreal aims to deepen ties on trade, energy, education, and the Arctic.
The European Union was divided on Tuesday over whether to grant Canada "associate member" status, with several nations refusing to approve a statement containing the phrase just 48 hours before a summit in Montreal. After ambassadors failed to reach an agreement on Monday, a silence procedure was initiated on Tuesday. However, Germany, along with at least three other countries, broke the procedure before the deadline, objecting to the term. This means the topic will be debated again at a meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday, a day before the EU-Canada summit begins. The disagreement highlights ongoing divisions within the EU regarding the concept of 'associate membership,' which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously proposed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney without consulting European capitals.