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Carney Welcomes EU Associate-Membership Proposal, Outlines Deeper Cooperation

Published Sep 17, 2026, 2:50 PM · 2 hours ago

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of Mark Carney, Roberta Metsola, and Ursula von der Leyen walking together on a red carpet beneath a large European Union flag, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel strokes.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told the European Parliament that Canada welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to make it the European Union’s first associate member. He outlined potential cooperation on critical minerals, energy security, artificial intelligence, computing, payments, digital trade, research, education, financial services, space and youth mobility. Carney said Canada has deposits of more than 34 critical minerals and is among the leading producers of the 10 most important for the energy transition. He said the aim was collective resilience, not self-sufficiency or a rival third bloc.

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