EU officials say planned Canada "associate membership" would go further than anything before

EU officials say a planned "associate membership" for Canada is meant to build a partnership closer to EU membership than anything the bloc has done before, according to The Globe and Mail.

The two sides are planning a summit in Montreal on Oct. 29 and 30. The name for Canada's relationship with the European Union is still being debated, EU officials said. A number of member states, reportedly including Germany, objected to putting the term "associate member" in the planned summit communique, the written statement expected to come out of the meeting.

The phrase was proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who in September called for Canada to become the EU's first associate member. Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament on Sept. 17 and said Canada welcomes that ambition. Carney has also said Canada has no intention of formally joining the EU.

EU officials have described the planned arrangement as "association without accession," a phrase for a partnership that does not involve joining the bloc. One EU official said the status is tailor-made for Canada and would not apply to European countries, which can pursue full membership.

Reuters has reported that the EU's treaties currently set out no status called "associate member."

Work on more practical files is also under way. Ottawa and Brussels are working toward a digital trade agreement covering electronic signatures and contracts, paperless trade, secure cross-border data flows, duties on electronic transmissions and e-commerce. Canada and the European Atomic Energy Community are also modernizing a nuclear co-operation agreement to work together on uranium fuel. In September, Carney said Canada and Europe should consider exploring an integrated market for financial services.

A poll found that a majority of Canadians support closer formal ties with the European Union. The poll also measured support among Canadians for Canada negotiating associate membership with the EU.