Canada and the European Union intend to create a new union, which includes as close a partnership as possible without the country's full accession to the European Union, Reuters reports. Following the summit in Montreal, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of the "Future Alliance". According to him, in the coming months the parties will determine the parameters of a new format of relations, which includes making Canada the first "associate member" of the European Union. The negotiations should be completed by June 2027. However, the initiative has already sparked controversy within the European Union. Germany and several other countries opposed the new status proposed by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. As a result, the language about "partner membership" was not included in the summit's final declaration. Reuters notes that Ottawa's rapprochement with Brussels is taking place against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Canada and the United States. In the past, Donald Trump has threatened trade sanctions in response to von der Leyen's proposal, and has also repeatedly stated the possibility of making Canada the 51st country in the US.

Canada and the European Union intend to create a new union, which includes as close a partnership as possible without the country's full accession to the European Union, Reuters reports. Following the summit in Montreal, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of the "Future Alliance". According to him, in the coming months the parties will determine the parameters of a new format of relations, which includes making Canada the first "associate member" of the European Union. The negotiations should be completed by June 2027. However, the initiative has already sparked controversy within the European Union. Germany and several other countries opposed the new status proposed by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. As a result, the language about "partner membership" was not included in the summit's final declaration. Reuters notes that Ottawa's rapprochement with Brussels is taking place against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Canada and the United States. In the past, Donald Trump has threatened trade sanctions in response to von der Leyen's proposal, and has also repeatedly stated the possibility of making Canada the 51st country in the US.