Canada's new relationship with EU will be 'closer to membership' than ever, senior officials say

According to CBC News, Canada will host the EU at a summit in Montreal this week where the two sides are expected to announce new agreements[1] on trade, security and technology. One senior EU official told a Brussels briefing that it will be one of the "most important summits the European Union has ever held"[1], CBC reports.CBC reports that EU officials say the details and exact title of Canada's possible associate EU membership are still being internally debated[1], but the 27 member countries all want the "closest possible association." According to The Globe and Mail, a number of EU member states including, reportedly, Germany, objected to including the term "associate member" in the planned communique[2].The Globe reports that one EU official called the status tailor-made for Canada and not something that would apply to European countries[2]. Asked whether ties could go beyond the European Economic Area deal, an official said how far it will go hasn't been decided[2], the paper reports.Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters, according to the Globe, that "it doesn't matter about specific names or nomenclature."[2] CBC reports that Carney said the summit would be the launch of formal discussions and negotiations over the next year[1].According to the Globe, EU officials said the two sides are working toward a digital trade agreement[2] and are discussing closer co-operation on satellites, including Galileo and GovSatCom.