Macron endorses Canada’s push for EU associate membership

French President Emmanuel Macron has backed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, as Paris and Ottawa move to deepen strategic cooperation in defence, space, energy and technology, AP reports.

Macron voiced his support during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. The two leaders discussed an emerging “alliance for the future” between Canada and the EU, including cooperation in space and defence infrastructure.

“We are very much in favor of that agenda of closer ties with the European Union, as an associate member of the Union, as the president said, and as a full-fledged member of the European community,” Macron said in French while standing alongside Carney.

“Only a few kilometres separate Canada and France at their closest point. Our values are even closer,” Carney said in French.

The leaders agreed to task their space agencies, defence ministries and industries with developing and sharing infrastructure, including launch systems and ground-based reception and control facilities. They also discussed cooperation in energy, telecommunications, climate resilience, critical minerals and advanced technologies.

Macron’s endorsement follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal last week to make Canada the EU’s first associate member. The concept is new and does not currently have a defined status under EU law.

Macron also highlighted Canada’s role as a potential energy supplier to Europe amid disruptions to global energy markets.

“Canada is a country with significant resources of critical minerals and rare earths. It is also a major oil and natural gas producer,” Macron said. “What we want to do is conclude agreements to secure more liquefied natural gas that can be shipped to Europe’s Atlantic coast.”

Carney later traveled to Ottawa for talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on defence, Arctic security, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies before heading to New York for the UN General Assembly.

At a joint news conference with Støre, Carney said closer relations with European allies should not be viewed as hostile to the United States, arguing that Canada is a better partner when it is “more independent or more resilient” and maintains stronger relationships around the world.

By Vafa Guliyeva