# EU backs away from offer to start ‘associate member’ talks with Canada

https://mins.news/en/item/119830

- The Guardian, 2026-10-28 21:06 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/28/european-union-canada

> Ahead of the EU-Canada summit in Montreal, the bloc dropped its offer to open talks on Canada becoming an “associate member” after member states objected. A draft joint statement instead proposes defining a closer association, short of full membership, by the 2027 summit.

## Related coverage

- [EU drops ‘associate membership’ from Canada declaration](https://mins.news/en/video/120314) — euronews, 2026-10-29
- [Canada and EU drop associate membership plan as they seek closer ties](https://mins.news/en/item/120006) — France 24, 2026-10-29
- [Canada-EU summit: What do both sides want, and what’s at stake?](https://mins.news/en/item/119528) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-28