European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says she does not doubt associate membership will include other countries
Roberta MetsolaPresident of the European Parliament, speaking in an interview with Euronews
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told Euronews that she does not doubt associate membership will include other countries and that others will come knocking at the EU's door, saying that in uncertain times having friends matters. Anadolu Agency reported that she said Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada.
“I don't doubt that it will include other countries, and others will come knocking at our door In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Canada become an associate member of the European Union?
In her State of the European Union address on 16 September 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would like to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union, as part of moving beyond the existing CETA trade agreement to what she called an Alliance for the Future. Carney, present as an invited guest, told the European Parliament the following day that Canada welcomes the ambition, while attributing the associate-member phrase to von der Leyen rather than adopting it, and promised debates and a vote in the Canadian Parliament on the final structure. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre set red lines against Canadians paying taxes to Brussels, following European laws they did not vote on, or adopting European immigration policy. United States President Donald Trump said that if he judged the arrangement a hostile act he would impose heavy tariffs on Europe or curtail trade. No agreement has been signed, and associate membership is not a status defined in the European Union's treaties.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Anadolu Agency report from Brussels on Metsola's interview with Euronews about associate membership for Canada and other countries.
Before the quotation
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed associate membership for Canada in her State of the Union address on September 16, 2026. Anadolu reported that Metsola spoke to Euronews ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's address to the European Parliament.
After the quotation
Anadolu reported that Metsola said discussions on the technical details of associate membership remain at an early stage but could include deeper trade ties, access to critical raw materials and greater regulatory cooperation. It also reported that she rejected the suggestion that the EU's cooperation with Canada is directed at the United States.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the offer to make Canada the first associate member of the European Union. Metsola, speaking to Euronews about the offer, said she does not doubt the arrangement will include other countries and that others will come knocking, adding that in uncertain times having friends matters. Anadolu reported that she said Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada. That treats the offer as something to build on, so we labeled it Defended or excused.
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The Dispute Index. "European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says she does not doubt associate membership will include other countries". First published: 2026-09-30. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/3418-european-parliament-president-roberta-metsola-told-euronews-that