Enhanced Association Partnership (EAP) A general framework, based on Article 217 TFEU, to associate non-European democracies with the Union in a structured way, without granting membership and without amending the Treaties.

This document proposes a legal and institutional framework, called the Enhanced Association Partnership (EAP), designed to establish a stable and structured link between the European Union and non-European democracies. The proposal rests exclusively on Article 217 TFEU (association agreements) and requires no Treaty amendment. It fills the existing gap surrounding the notion of “associate member” discussed for Canada by providing clear eligibility criteria, a defined scope and negotiable content. Eligible partners are non-European States within the meaning of Article 49 TEU that cumulatively meet three requirements: absence of pre-existing continental integration agreements with the Union, convergence with the values of Article 2 TEU, and acceptance of economic-security and sanctions-coordination commitments. The partnership is structured around five areas of cooperation: political dialogue (guest participation without voting rights), sectoral economic integration, research and innovation, economic security and de-risking, and sanctions coordination. Canada is identified as the first intended partner.