👈Politico: Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to make Canada the first “associated member” of the European Union has surprised European capitals.

Diplomats say the idea was not consulted on with member countries before the proposal, and there is not yet a clear definition of the status of an “associated member.”

Canada has also reacted cautiously to the proposal, and officials of the country have said that their focus is on deepening cooperation, not on the proposed new role.

Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, is scheduled to speak today in the European Parliament

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