EU says talk of Australia becoming an associate member is 'pure speculation'

BRUSSELS ― The European Commission played down talk that its new “associate membership” idea will be extended beyond Canada, saying Brussels wants to sort out details with Ottawa before entertaining other candidates.

“We have made an announcement that relates to our intention to get closer to our Canadian partners via a process that will possibly go in that direction,” Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà told reporters in Brussels on Friday. “We will not be speculating about other countries.”

She made the remarks as she confirmed that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly next week.

When asked if the meeting might be used to raise the associate membership concept with Australia, Podestà was dismissive.

“We have a very strong and close relationship with our Australian partners,” she said. “All the rest is pure speculation, and we’re not going to enter into that.”

Von der Leyen put Canada forward as a potential first EU “associate member” during her State of the Union address on Wednesday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed closer ties but has stopped short of endorsing the proposed status.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola later suggested countries such as Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada into an associated EU role, a possibility covered by other outlets.

But Commission spokesperson Olof Gill stressed Brussels is currently focused on developing the idea with Ottawa.

“What we’re focused on here is putting flesh on the bone on this idea,” Gill said, adding the Commission is working with member states and Canadian partners to establish what the concept could look like in practice. “All other discussions are subsequent to that.”