Von der Leyen calls for stronger EU-Canada ties: The partnership is not aimed at anyone else

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has called for deeper relations between the European Union and Canada, stressing that this cooperation is not being built against other countries.

During her State of the Union address, she said: “This is not a partnership against anyone else, but for our shared strength.”

In her speech before the European Parliament, which was also attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, von der Leyen argued that the EU must reassess and expand its ties with international partners.

The European Commission president proposed that Canada become the European Union’s “first associate member,” with the aim of increasing cooperation in strategically important sectors.

According to von der Leyen, the two sides could work together in areas such as critical minerals, technology, defense and energy. “We urgently need to reimagine our partnerships,” she said.

Another of her proposals was the establishment of a European Security Council that would include the EU and partners such as the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Canada.

The remarks came as Canada is embroiled in a trade dispute with the United States. However, von der Leyen did not mention the US by name in her speech.