EU member states have abandoned a proposal to offer Canada "associate membership" in the 27-nation bloc, replacing it with a commitment to closer ties ahead of the EU-Canada summit in Montreal, according to Politico. Germany, France, Italy and Greece were among the countries that opposed including partner countries in the joint statement, although European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the idea in September. The revised statement instead calls for an "increasingly close relationship" between Canada and the EU, with both sides aiming to define the arrangement by their 2027 summit while ceasing full membership. The announcement still requires final approval, with EU governments given by 6 p.m. raise objections.

EU member states have abandoned a proposal to offer Canada "associate membership" in the 27-nation bloc, replacing it with a commitment to closer ties ahead of the EU-Canada summit in Montreal, according to Politico. Germany, France, Italy and Greece were among the countries that opposed including partner countries in the joint statement, although European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the idea in September. The revised statement instead calls for an "increasingly close relationship" between Canada and the EU, with both sides aiming to define the arrangement by their 2027 summit while ceasing full membership. The announcement still requires final approval, with EU governments given by 6 p.m. raise objections.