EU drops plan to grant Canada 'associate member' status after German opposition

[Financial News] The European Union (EU) has dropped its plan to grant Canada 'associate member' status in a draft joint statement to be adopted at the EU-Canada summit on the 29th and 30th.
On the 28th (local time), according to Politico Europe, Euronews and other outlets, the EU removed all references to associate member status from the latest draft of the joint declaration for the EU-Canada summit. In amendments circulated to member states at Germany's request, the proposal to grant the status was replaced with a commitment to 'closer solidarity' between the EU and Canada.
Germany had previously been the strongest opponent of the term 'associate member.' Politico Europe reported, "The German government's priority was to define what closer cooperation with Canada would actually mean, rather than force cooperation into a term that would carry significant legal implications."
EU member states disagree over how to describe the relationship between the two sides, but there is broad consensus on expanding cooperation with Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "We want to focus on the substance of the agreement, and it is up to the EU to decide what terms to use." He has favored the phrase 'an alliance for the future.'
Carney said on the 27th, "The good news is that the specific name or terminology doesn't matter," adding, "What matters is 'what difference will it make to the lives of Canadians?'"
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter