Australia following Canada as EU associate member is ‘pure speculation,’ says Commission

BRUSSELS ― The European Commission played down the prospect of extending its newly floated “associate membership” concept beyond Canada, at least while Brussels works out the details with Ottawa. Asked whether the meeting could provide an opportunity to discuss the associate membership idea with Australia, Podestà dismissed the suggestion. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the ambition behind closer EU-Canada ties but has stopped short of endorsing the proposed status.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola subsequently said countries such as Australia and New Zealand could potentially follow Canada. But Commission spokesperson Olof Gill stressed that Brussels is currently focused solely on developing the idea with Ottawa.