European Union retracts description of Canada as associate member
EU retracts description of Canada as associate member following objections
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Brussels, October 28 (KUNA) – European officials said on Wednesday that the European Union has dropped the reference to Canada as a “future associate member” in a draft joint statement with Ottawa, following reservations raised by several member states. The draft, circulated to the 27 member states ahead of the upcoming summit in Montreal, Canada, on Friday, calls for “strengthening Canada’s ties with the European Union to a greater extent without reaching full membership.” The previous wording, which suggested the possibility of granting Canada “associate member” status, had sparked objections within the EU, prompting revisions to the text ahead of the summit. (End) A.R.N. / H.S.S.
