Finland Urges EU Expansion, Suggests Canada Membership

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has called for a major expansion of the European Union, proposing that the bloc grow from 27 to as many as 40 members and even consider admitting non-European countries such as Canada.

Speaking at an energy conference in Finland, Stubb said the EU should think more broadly about enlargement and develop flexible membership mechanisms to strengthen its global influence.

He identified the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and the Western Balkans as potential candidates, while also urging serious consideration of Turkey after reviewing the accession prospects of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.

Stubb also floated the idea of Canadian membership, joking that Canada becoming the EU’s 28th member would be preferable to becoming the “51st US state,” a reference to remarks by US President Donald Trump.

The comments come amid growing debate in European and Canadian policy circles about closer ties between Canada and the EU, although Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Ottawa is not considering EU membership.