The European Union has backed away from describing Canada as a potential future “associate member” in a draft joint statement ahead of a summit with Canadian officials, after the proposed wording raised concerns among several EU member states, diplomats said Wednesday.

The original language was circulated among the bloc's 27 member countries before Friday's meeting in Montreal. However, the reference to associate membership reportedly drew objections from governments concerned about the terminology and the implications it could carry for the EU's relationship with countries outside the bloc.

The revised draft replaces that language with a commitment to pursue “an ever-closer association of Canada to the EU, short of full membership itself.”

The change signals that European officials still want to strengthen political and economic ties with Ottawa, but are avoiding a formal designation that could suggest Canada is being considered for a new membership arrangement. The updated wording also explicitly distinguishes closer cooperation from full EU membership.

The dispute over the language highlights the sensitivity surrounding the bloc's relationships with major international partners and the need to secure agreement among all 27 member states before issuing a joint summit statement. The final wording will reflect the position agreed upon by both sides at the Montreal summit.