Canada to become first EU associated country; strengthening Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe participation

Canada could become the "first associate member of the European Union", has proposed Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This would include an increased participation of Canada in EU programmes like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

In a statement at the EU-Canada summit on 29/10/2026, von der Leyen regretted that the North American country couldn't become an EU member due to geography. However, she said that "both want to bring our relationship to the highest level possible. This is why we are discussing the idea of Canada becoming the first associate member of the EU".

This new status would rely on "a common ambition and vision". "We can build a partnership that comes closer to membership than anything we have done before," von der Leyen declared, adding that it would…