Strasbourg, Sept. 17 -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday (local time) delivered a landmark address to the European Parliament, warmly welcoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's historic proposal for Canada to become the European Union's very first Associate Member.

Addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg a day after von der Leyen pitched the groundbreaking initiative during her State of the Union address, Carney embraced the vision of a transformed transatlantic bond.

Welcoming the initiative, Carney described the partnership between Canada and the EU as a proactive model for global democratic governance. He characterised it as a resilient alliance dedicated to upholding international law and ensuring its a...