Link: https://www.dw.com/en/canada-eu-mark-carney-ursula-von-der-leyen-associate-membership/a-79791601

European Union member states have blocked a proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to grant Canada a special status as an "associate member" of the bloc.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several other EU leaders pushed to remove the term from a draft declaration ahead of a two-day EU-Canada summit beginning Thursday in Montreal, according to diplomats cited by the dpa and AFP news agencies.

Instead, the revised document calls for a plan to establish "closer ties" between

Cowards.

It's just about the wording, doesn't change the plan of very close ties.

the eu doesn't have anything called "associate membership" so if this passed they would have had to actually define what that means. makes sense to change the wording to something less formal but equally signifying.

Same deal, different name. "Associate membership" does open a can of worms.

the proposal raised questions among member states because existing EU treaties do not provide for such a status.

Diplomats said several governments were concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding the proposed arrangement and insufficient consultation between the European Commission and EU member states.

Germany, France and Italy were among the countries that raised objections, although they broadly support closer cooperation with Canada.

Germany, France and Italy…

is it jwst a coincidence that these countries who objected are also the ones flirting with far right movements?

“Genocide buddies” would be more honest. Free Palestine and Land Back.

yes. all of europe is doing that.

less formal but equally signifying.

...that's an oxymoron? The formality is what gave it significance.

Pretty much everyone agrees they should simply be part of EEA (economic area) like Norway, not an associate. If you're going to do this, do this right instead of making up some new terminology for specific country that no one really knows what that even means.

Right now it just looks like posturing.

Not everything has to do with America Palestine

I feel like the significance is in the terms of the deal and not the wording. It sounds like it's to avoid never ending linguistics bureaucracy.

Really, it's not that big a deal, it was kind of a silly semantics game to call it "Associate Membership" anyway. It was more about headlines provoking the Coppertone Fascist. That a trade deal is cut is the important part.

"closer ties" is a statement of intent. "associate member" is a category of member.

exactly.

If you do the manager's duties and get called the head lackey, it's not very formal but still significant.

If you think the U(K)SA & Germany are the only complicit countries, I have a bridge for sale, etc.

Dude, this has nothing to do with middle east. What did even France or Italy do for you to call them genocide-buddies and how would Canada be mixed up in this? Why are you insulting so many countries and people?

Close reddit lemmy and touch grass

The main negative of the EU has always been their ability to disagree about the most mundane and inconsequential things making every decision like wading through treacle.

France and Canada both supply weapons to Israel. While Italy backed off new arms shipments they are still providing supplies AKA material support for genocide.

So inconvenient to bring up genocide, I know.

An associate member could have many of the benefits of being in the bloc without paying adequate dues or holding enough responsibilities. It needs hashing out.