European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member, a status that does not exist under the bloc’s treaties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member, a status that does not exist under the bloc’s treaties.
Yeah, the EU’s reality is that they want candidate members, but not new members. The candidate status is a multi-stage process with requirements for the country, which can be dragged out for decades. As soon as the country joins properly, it can pull a Hungary and start demanding stuff from the EU and holding joint initiatives hostage with its votes, while backsliding in their own politics.
I’m guessing the ‘associate member’ status is approximately like turning the candidate thing permanent, without obligation to ever make a country into a member or accept any demands.