The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, reiterated this Thursday before the European Parliament that "Europe and Canada are stronger together" and advocated for even closer cooperation with the European Union to reinforce its strategic autonomy. However, he emphasized that this push for the relationship does not seek to form a new "block" of power intended to compete with the United States or other major powers.
Carney intervened in the plenary session held in Strasbourg (France), just a day after the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, suggested that Canada become "the first associated member" of the European Union, as part of a new phase in bilateral ties. This is an unprecedented status in the EU whose proposal generated surprise in several European capitals.
"Yesterday, President von der Leyen spoke of going beyond the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) towards a partnership for the future, opening the door for Canada to become the first associated member of the EU. We welcome this ambition: polls show that a wide majority of Canadians support much closer ties," the Canadian leader noted while picking up the challenge from the community leader.
The Prime Minister wanted to clarify, however, that this shift in the relationship does not imply creating a new geopolitical pole. "I want to be precise about what I am not proposing. I am not proposing a third block to become a rival to the major powers, just with better manners," he emphasized, dismissing the idea that the approach with Brussels is conceived as a direct counterbalance to Washington.
In this line, he stressed that the EU and Canada do not pursue "the power to dominate others." "On the contrary, we pursue resilience so that no one can control our open markets, undermine our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity, or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law," he emphasized, defending cooperation aimed at safeguarding their political and economic systems.
Carney has added that these objectives, combined with the existing "latent power" on both sides of the Atlantic, could "help create the next fair, stable, and prosperous world order." In his view, "a Canada-EU alliance would be a beacon for other democracies," "strong enough" so that "no one can dictate our decisions" and "open enough for others to join."