EU seeks 'highest level' ties with Canada in Montreal summit

European Union and Canadian leaders met on Thursday during a summit in Montreal, at a special Canada-EU summit to discuss critical policies like artificial inteligence (AI), climate, energy and ⁠security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will continue to explore Canada's prospects for becoming the bloc's first "associate member."

But despite her comments, the summit's declaration is expected to exclude the term "associate member," a move pushed by Germany and other members.

"Our idea is simple: it is an association without accession," Von der Leyen clarified. "We can build a partnership that comes closer to membership than anything we have done before."

"We both want to bring our relationship to the highest level possible," von der Leyen added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had said this week he wasn't concerned about the  "associate member" status, or "specific names" to be given to the new alliance with the EU.

"What matters is the difference that it will make to the lives of Canadians," Carney added.

Canada's EU ties are part of a broader strategy, expert tells DW

Ottawa's quest for deeper ties to Europe is seen as a move to reduce its reliance on the US since President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on a range of Canadian goods.

Frederic Merand, political expert on EU-Canada relations at the University of Montreal, spoke to DW about how the summit serves as "political impetus" to improve the bilateral trade relationship and to free Canada of its reliance on the US.

"It's not going to happen, over time, overnight. And every time we move closer to the Europeans, we realize how dependent we are on the US and how also vulnerable we are to, for example, us retaliation," Merand said.

But he added that courting the EU is also part of a broader strategy "to reinvent the Canadian economy, to create a single market, to attract more investment," as well as to diversify our partnerships with China, India and also other parts of the world.

The EU is "a natural partner" to work with, Merand said, given its existing free trade agreement with Canada, in addition to the close historical and cultural ties between the two partners. 

Are the EU and Canada moving closer?

What's on the agenda for the summit?

An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Canada and the EU sought to align policies in areas such as climate, energy and artificial intelligence, allowing Ottawa to participate in some EU programs.

Canada has critical minerals needed for green technologies such as batteries and wind turbines, something for which Europe normally relies on China.

But Canada is in need of major infrastructure investment to develop its mining industry.

There are hopes that the summit can result in a plan for the European Investment Bank to back Canadian critical mineral projects.

EU and Canadian leaders are also looking into a digital trade deal that can allow for faster and cheaper online transactions.

Additionally, Canada could be allowed to participate in the EU's Erasmus youth program, which allows university students to spend a semester abroad.