OTTAWA – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that Canada should become an "associate member" of the European Union, as the EU-Canada summit opened in Montreal.

"We both want to bring our relationship to the highest level possible. This is why we are discussing the idea of Canada becoming the first associate member of the European Union," von der Leyen said in her opening address, describing the proposed status as "association without accession."

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Commenting on global affairs, von der Leyen pointed out that the international order is undergoing a deeper decay, with alliances and assumptions that have enabled prosperity and security changing rapidly.

"We can no longer let ourselves be shackled by the limits of the old world order," she said. "We will build an alliance for the future, and we start with Canada."

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Von der Leyen invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to address the European Parliament last month, where she first floated the concept of Canada becoming an EU "associate member," drawing widespread attention. While some EU member states have expressed opposition to the label, Canadian officials have described the partnership as an "Alliance for the Future."

Analysts said that against the backdrop of an ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States, the Carney government is accelerating efforts to deepen multilateral ties with major global economies.