Deeper Canadian ties with EU would be “blockbuster,” says Andrews

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said that Canada potentially becoming an associate member of the European Union could be a “blockbuster in the history of international affairs.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was a special guest of Ursula Von Der Leyen at yesterday’s State Of The Union speech, and addressed the European Parliament itself on Thursday morning, where he said he is “open to negotiation” on Canada deepending ties with the EU.

Whatever its final legal form, a deep alliance between Europe and Canada has the potential to be a blockbuster in the history of international affairs,” Andrews said.

The Fianna Fáil MEP said “President Trump wanted to force Greenland away from Europe, but in fact his bullying antics look like pushing Canada more toward Europe.”

“Canada has a $2 trillion USD economy, strong industrial base and is a global energy and critical materials powerhouse,” he explained.

“China, Russia and the US have turned their backs on international law. We need new allies, and Canada is a perfect ally for Europe as a progressive and democratic country,” Andrews said.

Andrews said that Ireland stands to benefit from Canada joining the EU orbit.

“More than 10% of the Canadian population claim Irish ancestry. The Irish economic success in attracting US FDI investment could be replicated with Canadian investment,” he noted.

“We also need to consider full and free work and travel visa arrangements between Europe and Canada as part of upcoming negotiations. Thousands of Irish already travel to work in Canada on temporary visas, so this EU associate membership will help their legal status in future. Also, Ireland can attract more Canadians to come, live and work in Ireland.

“Canadian participation in Erasmus would also be very welcome to many Irish students,” he said.

On Thursday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that Australia and New Zealand could also follow in Canada’s footsteps of becoming associate members of the EU.

While an “associate member” doesn’t exist under current EU legislation, the changing geopolitical landscape has meant that the EU is in search of new allies, and could be willing to change the rulebook slightly if it means stronger allies.

Canada becoming an associate member does not mean they will be able to elect MEPs or dictate European Commission policy, but it would mean they would co-operate on issues such as cyber security, economics, energy, scientific research and of course, deeper economic ties between the trillion-dollar economies.

“In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters,” Mestola told Euronews.