Stefan Kornelius
Role at the time: Spokesperson for the German federal government
Statement summary
A spokesperson for the German government said Germany is open to discussing new models of partnership with Canada, but that the “associate member” label itself warrants further thought.
“Canada is an especially close partner for Europe. That is why we are open to discussing new models of partnership. … I think we should give that some more thought.”
Reports that four European diplomats said their governments were not informed before the announcement, and carries the German government’s first public response. The article carries a correction note dated September 17. Any arrangement of this kind would require unanimity in the Council, which makes a single member state’s reservation material.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Relative to whether Canada should become an associate member of the European Union, Germany separates the substance from the designation: it welcomes closer partnership while withholding endorsement of associate membership as the form it should take. That is a genuine split rather than a hedge, and it matters disproportionately because any arrangement of this kind requires unanimity in the Council, so a single member state’s reservation is a live constraint. A Condemned label would overstate a government that has expressly said it is open to the underlying project.