EU chief Ursula von der Leyen delivers a keynote speech during the 21st EU-Canada Summit in Montreal. (EPA Images pic)MONTREAL: The EU and Canada want to bring their relationship to the "highest level possible" as they face a "world of growing rivalries", the 27-nation bloc's chief said Thursday ahead of a meeting with Canadian leader Mark Carney.
Brussels and Ottawa are to lay the groundwork for an ever-closer partnership at a two-day summit in Montreal, as they navigate uncertain ties with the US and China.
"We both want to bring our relationship to the highest level possible," von der Leyen said, doubling down on the prospect of Canada becoming the EU's "first associate member" despite an intra-EU squabble over the term.
