Amidst increasing tensions with America, Canada is now preparing to move closer to Europe. The European Union (EU) is working on making Canada its first ‘Associate Member’. As an associate member, Canada will not join the 27 countries of the European Union and will not get voting rights, but its cooperation with the EU will increase in matters like defence, AI, technology, energy, essential minerals and trade. Along with this, Canada can also join a new Security Council with countries outside the EU like Britain and Ukraine to strengthen the security of Europe. Canada’s Prime Minister had expressed his desire to join the European Union. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the European Union wants to open its doors to Canada. During this, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was also present. Carney last week expressed his desire to form a ‘unique alliance’ with the EU. Von der Leyen said Canada and Europe view the world similarly and believe in democracy. The European Union will have to make a new arrangement for Canada. There is no provision for becoming an ‘Associate Member’ in the existing treaties of the European Union. This means that a new system may have to be created to give such status to Canada. Such a proposal was made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for Ukraine this year. However, Ukraine did not give much support to this idea, as it wants full membership of the European Union. Under that proposal, Ukraine could have been allowed to attend EU meetings and send its representative to the European Commission. It also benefits from a portion of the EU budget, but does not have voting rights like full member states. Trade between EU and Canada increases The EU and Canada are already cooperating in many areas amid US tariffs and increasing competition from China. There is a free trade agreement between the two named CETA. Under this, almost all import duties between the two sides have been removed. Trade in goods and services between the EU and Canada has increased by more than 80% since 2016. This year Canada also became the first non-EU country to join a major EU defense loan program. Von der Leyen said power should not rest only with the most powerful, richest or most vocal countries. Democratic countries should have the freedom to decide with whom they want to work. “So we are coming together voluntarily,” he said. ———————— Also read this news… America’s ban on Canadian dairy products and liquor: Motorcycles also banned US President Donald Trump has decided to ban dairy products, liquor and motorcycles coming from Canada. Read the full news here…
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अमेरिका को छोड़कर कनाडा अब यूरोप के साथ आएगा: यूरोपीय संघ का पहला एसोसिएट मेंबर बनेगा, ब्रिटेन-यूक्रेन के साथ मिलकर सुरक्षा मजबूत करेगा
