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In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 16 September 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first 'associate member'.
Canadian PM Mark Carney attended the speech, the first foreign head of government to do so. He has said Canada wants a 'unique alliance', not full membership.
EU treaties contain no category of associate membership. Any such status would have to be created and ratified by the member states.
Canada wants to depend less on the US economy amid Trump-era tariffs. A Canada-EU summit is due in late October 2026.
EU executive. Its President gives the annual State of the Union address.
Directly elected EU legislature. Its plenary sessions are held in Strasbourg.
Political and economic union of 27 member states
Only a 'European State' may apply for membership. Canada therefore cannot join as a full member, which is why a new associate category is being floated.
Signed in October 2016 and provisionally applied since 21 September 2017. Some member states have still not ratified it, so it has not fully entered into force.
GS Paper II > International relations > Effect of policies of developed countries
General Awareness > International organisations
The term 'Digital Single Market Strategy' seen in the news refers to
Answer: EU
'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and
Answer: European Union
Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as 'General Data Protection Regulation' in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018?
Answer: The European Union
Consider the following statements: The 'Stability and Growth Pact' of the European Union is a treaty that 1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union 2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities 3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only one
A proposed new EU relationship tier, not yet defined in any treaty
Annual address by the Commission President to the European Parliament, held since 2010
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, provisionally applied since 2017