Hungary Pushes for Canada's EU Associate Membership Amid Rising Tensions with Russia

Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orbán is calling for Canada to become an 'associate member' of the European Union, a status that would strengthen economic and political ties between the two nations.

Orbán made her remarks during a conference in Toronto, where she also met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. The meeting highlighted the close relationship between Hungary and Canada, which is one of the EU countries that has not ratified the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

Orbán's office has reinitiated the CETA ratification process, which had been halted by her predecessor. She sees associate membership as a way to increase trade and political co-operation between Canada and the EU.

The proposal comes at a time when Europe is facing increased tensions with Russia, particularly over Ukraine. Orbán acknowledged that Hungary has inherited an economy dependent on Russian energy supplies, but she emphasized the need for her country to maintain its sovereignty while also supporting European unity.