Canada signals intention to step up cooperation with EU

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country will strengthen cooperation with the European Union in a wide range of fields, including economy and defense.

Carney addressed the European Parliament on Thursday in Strasbourg, France. He mentioned deepening cooperation in critical minerals, defense industrial capacity, AI and energy security and other fields. He said the cooperation should be based on common values such as open markets and the rule of law.

The remarks came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed opening the door for Canada to be the first "associate member" of the EU. Carney said at a news conference that the nomenclature of "associate member" is "a question for Europe" and that "what matters is the substance."