# EU and Canada seek closer ties: Could Canada become the bloc’s first associate member?

https://mins.news/en/video/103052

- France 24 English, 2026-10-16 12:05 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBC1q9vn7cY

> With the international environment growing more challenging, the EU is seeking stronger ties with like-minded allies and sees Canada as part of that effort. Ursula von der Leyen said in her September State of the Union speech that Canada could become an associate member, a status the EU has not yet offered its partners. An EU-Canada summit is scheduled for late October.

## Related coverage

- [EU and Canada seek closer ties: Could Canada become the bloc’s first associate member?](https://mins.news/en/item/103036) — France 24, 2026-10-16
- [‘Switzerland plus’ deal an option for UK seeking closer EU ties, senior MEP says](https://mins.news/en/item/102910) — euronews, 2026-10-16
