STORY: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become its first "associate member" during the State of the European Union address on Wednesday (September 16).

"We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible," von der Leyen said. "So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU."

Von der Leyen walked up to and embraced Carney after mentioning Canada's "associate membership" and Carney got a standing ovation from the chamber.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

EU opens door to Canada as first associate member

VIDEO SHOWS: EU'S VON DER LEYEN DELIVERING THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS / SOUNDBITES ON CANADA

RESENDING COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: STRASBOURG, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 16, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING (PART OVERLAID WITH SHOT 2):

"In this new world, we must urgently reimagine our partnerships and build global coalitions for our resilience and democracies. And here too, only Europe, with its size and power, can take the lead. And, this is why, I have invited Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada."

2. EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT LISTENING TO VON DER LEYEN’S STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ADDRESS

3. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CLAPPING FOR CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

“We will move from (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) CETA to an alliance for the future, to create a common prosperity and economic security space. We will work on intelligent manufacturing. We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defense industrial bases. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project. We will knock on energy critical minerals and batteries on AI, quantum, cyber and economic security. This is not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strengths.”

5. CARNEY AND MINISTER OF STATE OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE THOMAS BYRNE LISTENING TO VON DER LEYEN

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING (PART OVERLAID WITH 7):

"In short, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible. And, dear Mark, I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union."

7. CARNEY LISTENING TO VON DER LEYEN’S SPEECH

8. VARIOUS OF CARNEY AND MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN UNION CLAPPING

9. CARNEY GREETING VON DER LEYEN

10. VARIOUS OF CARNEY AND MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN UNION GIVING VON DER LEYEN A STANDING OVATION