RUSSELS: The European Union has announced plans to establish a new European Security Council involving close partners, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also proposed opening the way for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member.”
The proposal was made during her State of the European Union address on September 16, 2026, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney present in the European Parliament.Von der Leyen said the EU and Canada should deepen cooperation in defence, technology, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and economic security.
She described the proposed partnership as an effort to strengthen cooperation rather than an alliance against any other country.
Canada is currently engaged in trade tensions with the United States, its largest trading partner. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the proposal for a deeper EU-Canada partnership, while discussions on the details are expected to continue.
The proposed “associate member” status is a new concept and is not currently provided for in EU treaties.
Any formal arrangement would require agreement among the EU member states and further negotiations on its scope and rights.
Reported By: Mirza Maqbool Baig I Foreign Affairs Journalist I Russls
