# Explainer: EU chief wants Canada to become an 'associate member'. What does that mean?

https://mins.news/en/item/60899

- Reuters, 2026-09-16 12:25 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-chief-wants-canada-become-an-associate-member-what-does-that-mean-2026-09-16/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=6aaa8aa6a4391a00012670be

> On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed creating an opening for Canada to take the European Union’s inaugural associate-member position.

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