Greg Stanton outlined Canada's expectations for closer relations with the European Union in his speech at the European Parliament. He spoke about the necessity of cooperation in various fields, including critical minerals, defense, artificial intelligence, energy security, and space exploration, following the proposal by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, regarding the establishment of a "dependent member" status.
Emphasis on Cooperation in Digital Trade
Stanton also stressed the importance of facilitating digital trade between Canada and the European Union and called for increased cooperation in non-agricultural goods and services. He noted that Canada intends to join the Erasmus+ student exchange program of the European Union. Stanton said, "We welcome this goal, and surveys show that a significant majority of Canadians are in favor of closer relations with the European Union."
Potential Challenges and Reactions
The idea of a "dependent member" status has faced various reactions. Some observers expressed concern that this status could lead to a lack of coordination in trade relations. In this context, Mélanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Economy, emphasized that Canada is seeking more guarantees in trade and may need to pass new laws. She also pointed out that countries with free trade agreements often move towards protecting their domestic industries.
In response to questions about the potential influence of Canadians on decisions regarding dependent membership, Stanton said, "Of course. There will be discussions and voting in the Canadian Parliament, but for now, this is just the beginning of the process." This emphasis on public participation in decision-making reflects the Canadian government's attention to public opinion.
He also mentioned that discussions on "Alliance for the Future" with the European Union will begin at the upcoming meeting in Montreal in late October. Stanton announced, "Real development and discussions will start from that time."
The Canadian government is heavily focused on its relations with Europe, as the European Union is seen as the best way to strengthen existing trade relations. This has been a topic of discussion in the Canadian Parliament for over a decade, and now Canadian and European Union officials are under pressure to demonstrate significant progress before the Montreal meeting.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's appointed ambassador to the European Union, stated that the goal of the Canada-European Union summit is to outline a series of specific actions that will be implemented over the next year. He added, "We want to be very ambitious in this regard."
