European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU hopes to open the door for Canada to become its first "quasi-member state," raising bilateral relations to the highest level. Von der Leyen said Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s invitation to visit Europe is intended to upgrade the existing trade agreement into a "future alliance," covering shared prosperity and economic security in manufacturing, technology, energy, artificial intelligence, defense, and the Arctic, while deepening security and strategic ties.