Canada will be the first associate member of the European Union outside of Europe. This was indicated by Ursula Vanderleen, President of the European Commission, in her State of the Union 2026 address today.

Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the European Parliament, he said that he wants to take relations with Canada to the highest possible level.

I want to work with you to pave the way for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union,” said Ursula Vanderlein.

Earlier in his address, he also announced the creation of its own Security Council for joint security with other countries on behalf of the European Union. He said that Europe needs its own action plan to counter hybrid attacks.

Ursula Vanderlein called for an emergency security protocol, in which, when activated by a single member state, all member states would coordinate a common European response.

The President of the European Commission said that Ukraine, Great Britain, Norway, Canada and other partners will also be involved in this process.

It should be noted that the President of the European Commission comes to the European Parliament every year to announce progress on the projects of the previous year and priorities for the new year on behalf of the Commission.