Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, stated in an interview that the European Union (EU) is looking to establish the closest possible relations with Canada. These remarks come as the Union seeks to redefine its relations with Ottawa.
Willingness for Greater Cooperation
Costa highlighted the EU's willingness to engage in more cooperation with Canada, saying: "This concept fundamentally means that we want to act more and cooperate with Canada as much as possible." He also pointed out that geographically, Canada is not a European country and cannot apply for EU membership.
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Last week, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, proposed that Canada be recognized as the first "associated member" of the European Union. This proposal surprised many European countries that are still evaluating the implications of this relationship.
Trade and Security Interactions
Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, is looking to strengthen relations with Europe to reduce his country's dependence on the United States, especially amid recent trade tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on Canada last month and has repeatedly threatened to designate the country as the "51st state."
Costa mentioned in this interview that the EU could have more cooperation with Canada and should not be limited to trade. He added: "We can collaborate in areas of defense and security, investment in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and new technological challenges."
Costa also emphasized the need to strengthen democracy, stating: "As like-minded and reliable partners, we can work together."
Upcoming Summit in Montreal
Costa referred to the upcoming EU-Canada summit scheduled for October 29 and 30 in Montreal, calling it a milestone for defining the future of relations with Ottawa.
In another sign of warming relations, Costa will hold a public event on multilateralism with Mark Carney and William Ruto, President of Kenya, on Monday in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
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