Canada is taking steps toward becoming the first associate member of the European Union, according to a report from PBS NewsHour. The report, written by Rob Gillies of The Associated Press, was carried under a headline that describes the proposal as a move toward "first associate member" status for Canada.

According to the report, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would attend a meeting of European leaders in June to conclude negotiations on the proposed relationship between Canada and the bloc. The summary of the report does not say which European leaders are expected to attend that meeting or where it will take place.

The report presents the matter as a set of steps still under way rather than a completed arrangement. Its summary does not describe the terms being negotiated, the rights or obligations that associate membership would carry for either side, or what would follow the June meeting if the negotiations conclude.

PBS NewsHour's summary is the only source available for this account, so the facts above are limited to what that outlet has reported. No other outlet's coverage has been reviewed, and the status of the talks cannot be confirmed beyond the statement attributed to Carney.

Canada and the European Union are not described in the summary as having reached agreement on the proposed relationship. The report also does not indicate whether any European government has confirmed attendance at the June meeting beyond Carney's stated plan to attend.

Sources: PBS NewsHour: Canada is taking steps toward becoming European Union's first associate member.