Canada and Europe must find ‘intelligence’ to build closer ties, EU ambassador says
Listen to this article
Average 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations may occur. We are working with our partners to continuously review and improve the results.
The EU’s ambassador to Canada, Geneviève Tuts, says the bloc is looking to “elevate” its relationship with the country and take it to the “next level.”
In an interview with CBC Power and Politics On Tuesday, Tuts dismissed the idea of direct membership, but said Canada and the EU should look for “something, stronger than what we have today.”
“We have to innovate, we have to innovate, and we have to innovate in Europe, we have ideas,” said Tuts.
Recent polls suggest the idea of Canada joining the EU is becoming increasingly popular within Europe. The proposal was submitted by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
A country can join the EU if it fulfills what are known as the Copenhagen criteria, a list of certain values such as stable democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights. Any European State that respects these values can apply.
While Tuts said that puts clear limits on Canada’s territory, “that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look for another way to work together.”
Power & Politics asks European Union Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s belief that Europe will lead the way to a new world order, and how they see Canada fitting into it.
Carney on the world stage
On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a summit of European leaders in Armenia, becoming the first non-European leader to receive such an invitation.
In a nod to his earlier Davos speech in which he warned of a “breakdown” of international law, Carney suggested it would be up to Europe to mend the divide.
“That system … has been greatly weakened and needs to be rebuilt, and rebuilt maybe in a different way, but rebuilt based on the same principles,” he explained in Ottawa on Tuesday.
“Your prime minister has set his sights on the world,” Tuts said of Carney’s Davos speech. “We’re very close to that idea and now we’re working and building on that to deepen the relationship that we have.”
The meeting of European leaders in Armenia came shortly after US President Donald Trump accused the bloc of failing to follow through on a trade deal struck last year, and threatened to raise tariffs on EU-made cars and trucks from 15 to 25 percent.
Trump also announced plans to withdraw 5,000 US troops stationed in Germany following a dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his response to the Iran war.
The risk in Canada is probably low
Roland Paris, dean of the graduate school of public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa and a former advisor to Justin Trudeau, says that unlike Merz, Carney understands what makes Trump angry.
“He talks tough in these speeches, but when he works he avoids offending Trump repeatedly,” said Paris.
“When I’m talking about the breakdown of the order and other countries needing to work together to strengthen strategic independence, I don’t think it’s going to cost much to Canada to say that.”
While there are no formal talks on Canada pursuing EU membership, leaders continue to deepen transatlantic relations.
Last June, Canada and the EU announced a new strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation across trade, technology, energy and security.
Tuts said he hopes to see progress on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement “soon.”
