New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed a new form of partnership between the European Union and Canada, inviting Ottawa to become the bloc's first "associate member" as both sides look to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation.

"I invite Canada to be the first associate member of the EU," von der Leyen said during her State of the Union speech.

Von der Leyen also called for expanding ties between the EU and Canada beyond their existing trade arrangements, with a focus on building a wider strategic partnership. "We will move from Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to an Alliance for the Future. To create a common prosperity and economic security space," she sa...