OREANDA-NEWS The statement by the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen that the European Union (EU) would consider granting Canada associate membership took the countries of the association by surprise. This is reported by Politico with reference to anonymous diplomats.

"No one really knows what that means. We have warm feelings for Ottawa, but we need to understand the details," the source said.

Several other diplomats suggested that Canada could be offered an analogue of the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, which currently applies to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. In addition, the point of view was expressed that granting someone the status of associate membership in the EU provides for amendments to the relevant documents of the association, which is "impossible" due to the lack of support for the proposal of the head of the EC.