To put “(future EU member)” on Canada but nothing on Turkey, who despite negotiations currently being frozen still are a member of both the EUCU and the CoE, is definitely a choice. I’m not a fan of Erdogan and personally do not think that Turkey, nor Canada for that matter, should ever become EU members. However, given the point of the group does it seem pointless to make political statements that are completely off topic. Turkey is closer, not just geographically, to the EU than what Canada is; whether we like it or not.
As a Canadian it warms my heart to see the “future EU members” label but most days, when i am done with my morning coffee, i like things presented under a more realistic perspective.
EU should aim for a strong core with countries of “special interest” having partial membership benefits and treatment. GB, Canada, Ukraine, Turkey, Hungary(yes i know!) should all have this special interest status with a measure of integration and a measure of autonomy. Eventually add Australia if it makes mutual sense. Currently Canada can’t lower it standards to US regulations “void” and we will benefit from increased mobility of goods and people : with EU : we should set most regulation close enough to EU rules to be welcomed there. Build further affinity from increased commercial and military integration. Keep our own monetary policy: devaluation of our currency is a needed buffer sometimes.
I agree. While I hope Hungary will change path after next year’s election and that both UK and Ukraine will be members within my lifetime (I’m still young, so there is hopefully time left) so do I agree with the main point. There should be a lot of opportunities to get closer and cooperate with countries outside of the EU, without membership, and Canada is already one of the closest countries to the EU and I want the EU and Canada to get as close as makes sense (and I’m certain there are many areas, including those you list, on which it makes sense to get closer).
What do you have against Canada being part of the EU?
In short, geography. The EU is more than just an economic union and is just growing tighter. Hence, were Canada an EU member would they need to fund projects that they would have limited benefit from and follow rules that do not make sense to them. Meanwhile the EU would more than double its external border, which would make smuggling even easier, and with limited benefits as the real hindrance to trade is the distance. The only solution would be to give Canada so many exceptions that they would barely even be members.
I’m fully for trade deals and cooperation on areas of common interest. But a full membership would not benefit either side.
I’m sure these things could be addressed while still maintaining the economic benefits of bringing Canada into the EU.
How would you address them and what would those economic benefits be, that would not be lost while trying to address the issues and that would outweigh the costs of addressing the issues?
Frankly I would need to gather several experts and have access to all relevant data to even begin.
However, bringing in the world’s 9th largest economy would have it’s benefits. If joined it would be the 4th largest economy in the EU.
I believe that would provide great benefit.
The only thing you’ve mentioned that I have a suggestion on how to handle would be smuggling. Simply when leaving Canada to fly into the EU they go through standard security. Your already not allowed to fly with prohibited substances. If you’re really worried when first arriving in Europe they can go through customs and then be allowed free travel. Although the existing land borders in Europe are much harder to control. Canada being an ocean away can be controlled much easier. Even if it’s land borders are larger.
It is definitely fully possible that a way could be found in which a membership could be mutually beneficial. I personally do not think so, but that of course does not mean that it is not possible.
However, regarding smuggling do I wish to clarify that my big worry are ships. If a ship comes to Rotterdam from Amsterdam or if it comes to Rotterdam from Dublin or Porto does not really matter, both are inside the single market so are treated as internal. Everything on board those ships are already assumed to follow the rules of the single market and just a few spot checks are made. However, if it comes to Rotterdam from Montreal so is it checked much more thoroughly, as it is external. If Canada were to become a member of the EU would that change and Montreal would be checked as little as Dublin or Porto, meaning as long as you get something into Canada is it in the EU and will likely not be caught. The only solution would be to keep on treating the ship from Montreal as external, but in that case would Canada already be excluded from one of the biggest benefits of being a member.
I, an ignorant, would love to see Canada be a part of the EU, but I really appreciate you breaking down the concerns of such a move. I appreciate seeing comments with actual arguments and reasons, rather than just superficial statements. So, thank you for that.
It’s interesting that you would deny membership to a self sufficient country with a great GDP per capita and shares a land border with the EU already because of that.
Well, if neither side would benefit from a membership so is there no point to it. And regarding land border, do you mean St Pierre and Miquelon (which almost have a land border) or Hans Island? If so so is neither really a part of the EU and have a small respectively no population, so are somewhat irrelevant.
Yeah I meant the land border that Canada and the EU shares on Hans Island.
Neither Greenland nor Hans Island are a part of the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark consists of three “constituent countries”; metropolitan Denmark, Faroe Islands, and Greenland; and out of them is only metropolitan Denmark part of the EU, while Greenland; which includes Hans Island; is not.
I get it, you hate Canadians.
It is all about the Armenian genocide
I doubt the European Georgia is the one producing pecans. I can only speak for the state of Georgia, but pecans are a huge industry there. So I’d be willing to bet product of georgia = USA
Yes, Mexico and South Africa are the two biggest growers of pecans after the US. Georgia isn’t even on the list.
Czech Republic has also quite a big production of almonds.
Irish cranberries are also a thing. They were pretty popular in the 90’s.
Wait have I missed something when has Canada becoming an EU member? Or is this a meme I’m not aware of 😞?
