European Commission says associated EU membership initiative concerns Canada only

Brussels, Belgium. The European Commission has said its proposed “associated member” status currently concerns Canada only, dismissing speculation that Australia could be included.

Commission Deputy Spokesperson Arianna Podesta said a planned meeting between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had no bearing on the issue.

Australia speculation rejected

The meeting between von der Leyen and Albanese was announced on Friday and is expected to take place on the sidelines of next week’s UN General Assembly.

“We have a very strong and close relationship with our Australian partners,” Podesta said. “Everything else is pure speculation, and we’re not going to get into that discussion.”

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola had suggested that Australia and New Zealand could follow a similar path to Canada, prompting speculation that the status could be extended more widely.

Canada proposal

Von der Leyen first raised the concept of an “associated member” status for Canada during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg last Wednesday, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“We welcome this ambition,” she said, describing it as an “alliance for the future” that the two sides would shape together.

Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill said the priority was to define the proposal with Canada and declined to comment on Australia. The EU and Canada are scheduled to meet in Ottawa on 29 and 30 October.

Member state caution

Von der Leyen’s proposal for Canada was framed broadly and did not formally refer to the legally undefined status of “associated member.”

The issue was discussed at a meeting of EU member states’ permanent representatives in Brussels and with some officials during a breakfast with von der Leyen’s close aides before her speech.

Member states remain cautious. Germany’s government spokesperson said Berlin was open to “discussing new partnership models” but indicated that the term “associated member” required reconsideration.