Canada will become an associate member in 2029 then a full member in 2034.
It can’t become a full member. The rules clearly state that countries must physically be in Europe.
This could only happen if we change the rules and for that we’d need to agree on that and… well, politics.
So why is Cyprus not physically in Europe, but part oft the EU?
The rules clearly state that countries must physically be in Europe.
Cite your source. AFAIK, there’s a vague requirement that they must be “European” which is not defined.
Maastricht Treaty Article 49
You just proved their point. Article 49 opens with
Any European State which respects the values referred to in Article 2 and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a member of the Union.
Which, yeah, does say they must be European, but as far as I can tell the term “European” isn’t further specified
Cyprus
Canada is not European unless the word is meaningless.
it is meaningless because it isn’t defined.
edit: I’m not saying Canada is European, I’m just saying that there’s some room for interpretation
‘European’ in this article clearly refers to a system of values.
Canada is a former French and British colony. One could argue that the country is of European descent.
The rules clearly state that countries must physically be in Europe.
That clearly isn’t the case if you have bothered to look further.
You forgot to mention Cyprus, French Guiana, Saint Martin, Ceuta, Mayotte and Réunion. There’s more exceptions to this arbitrary rule as the bloc evidently has territory in Asia, Africa and Caribbean.
The European Continent is a human construct.
Cyprus is directly adjacent to EU member states and has a western culture, and has very strong ties to Greece, almost having undergone enosis with it.
French Guyana, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Ceuta, Mayotte, Réunion are part of their mother countries, whether as a full member, special municipality, or territory. They may or may not be part of the EU.
And on the flip side, Morocco once applied for membership to the European Economic Community in 1987, which was promptly rejected. Geography and culture do very much play a role.
I would certainly not consider membership for Canada, but associate membership - the closest possible - would be very much on the table.
are part of their mother countries
We could gift Canada a square metre of territory on mainland Europe. Then Canada declares it Canadian territory and as the main country; with today’s territory just being an exclave in North America.
And boom! 💥 Canada is full EU member under currently applicable rules.
!canada@lemmy.ca if you guys read this - you can happily have a square metre of my German garden if you can convince your people of my concept.
Fun fact, Canada owns land at Vimy Ridge in northern France, given to them in perpetuity to honor Canadian soldiers fallen in WWI. Which means Canada has land borders with France and Denmark.
Therefore, Canada is basically as European as Germany.
The USA also has a plot for the same reason can’t remember where exactly
They sure as hell are welcome to apply!!
I’m sure we have some tiny uninhabited islands no one cares about. :D
EDIT: If I had some land, I’d make it all Canadian and then ask for dual citizenship in return. Couldn’t hurt to have another passport, I guess. xD
Cyprus is directly adjacent to EU member states and has a western culture, and has very strong ties to Greece, almost having undergone enosis with it.
That’s literally the same argument you can make on Canada with Britain and France.
We have a land border with Denmark and maritime border with France.
So you’re still drawing arbitrary political lines.
Morocco once applied for membership to the European Economic Community in 1987, which was promptly rejected. Geography and culture do very much play a role.
Morocco and Turkey both have culture, economic and political incompatibilities with the EU that Canada has avoided itself.
Geography and culture do very much play a role.
A lot of Canada was historically part of New France and Britain. Norway had claims on the Sverdrup Islands.
We have established geography is arbitrary and what are the cultural issues you have with Canada?
If a country meets the eu requirements what does it matter where it’s situated. I also support Taiwan joining NATO even if article 5 only covers half of the country.
There are a lot of contradictions in your reply.
How do Morocco and Turkey have incompatible culture, economic and political problems?
Look how “democratic” they’re are.
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So you’re still drawing arbitrary political lines.
That’s what this is all about.
Morocco and Turkey both have culture, economic and political incompatibilities with the EU that Canada has avoided itself.
Turkey could have become a member, but their president takes the country further away from that course.
If a country meets the eu requirements what does it matter where it’s situated.
A vote is required. The location does matter if that’s the opinion the member states that will reject a proposal to have a country join the EU.
Hm… right now associate member doesn’t have a meaning. It’s a category that doesn’t exist, so it’s easy to invite Canada into it, it’ll be FAR harder to agree on what it actually means.
And I don’t know if I would want Canada as a full member, because (as a federalist) I see the “ever closer union” promise of the european project, to be leading towards a single, federated, european state. And I don’t think Canada would be on board for that. They do not want to be the 51st state in a United States and we should now not assume that they would want to be the 28th state in a Federal Republic of Europe.
We should support them however we can and I’m all for the closest possible relationship, but not at the expense of our federalization.
I’m all for the closest possible relationship, but not at the expense of our federalization.
How is a Canada threat to any of that? Canada only offers benefits to the EU.
And I don’t think Canada would be on board for that. They do not want to be the 51st state in a United States and we should now not assume that they would want to be the 28th state in a Federal Republic of Europe.
That’s certainly not all Canadians.
Neither the EU nor Canada would want Canada as a full member, nor would it be eligible under Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty. France in particular would veto to protect european farmers.
Treaties can be changed. And also the veto power can (and hopefully will) change.
Also on Nebula for subscribers: https://nebula.tv/videos/eumadesimple-finally-europe-has-a-vision-and-canadas-invited/
Ooh! Don’t mind if I do.
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I wish Australia was as well
Guess we’ll have to put up with them
Put up with who?
Australia has been more reserved of embracing the EU since they’re geographically farther away and are not in such a dire situation with the invading USA.
Not yet.
They aren’t reliable allies any more though and the people can’t be relied upon with both electing a decent government or doing something about a bad one.
Yeah, the distance is an issue I will admit. Unfortunately we are drifting down a path we don’t want to take.
You got New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and ASEAN to collaborate and trade with.
Yeah that was Keating’s aim, but unfortunately those who followed him were and are piss weak.
