European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member, a status that does not exist under the bloc’s treaties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union is opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member, a status that does not exist under the bloc’s treaties.
Could also be applied to the UK and Switzerland, if they wanted it. Though in a more permanent way that’s similar to how they would use it for Canada, not the same way as for Ukraine.
Unlikely to include Switzerland; they seem to prefer to keep each agreement separate and subject to periodic renewal. Seems unnecessarily awkward to me, but that’s how the Swiss like it, I guess.
There is one defining aspect to the Swiss, and that is amoral greed. No involvements or entanglements with anyone or anything if it can at all be avoided, no responsibility to say no to any corrupt source of money. The corrupt, morally bankrupt but otherwise very solvent tax oasis for Europe, always ready and willing to take in anyone and anything with money. Nazi politicians looking to avoid the consequences of their policies, russian oligarch money, saudis, you name it. All are welcome as long as nobody does anything that would force the Swiss to take a stand.