Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the prospect of Canada becoming the first "associate member" of the European Union.
While the 27 members of the EU would have to agree on the plan for associate membership, Australia and New Zealand could follow, the European Parliament president said.
Ms Metsola said Australia and New Zealand are examples of deep relationships.
The European Commission said Ms von der Leyen's proposal — which is yet to be fleshed out and will need to be approved by EU member states to go forward — was not a hostile act.
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Summarized version
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hinted Australia and New Zealand could explore a similar path to Canada. The European Commission said Ms von der Leyen's proposal was not a hostile act.
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The article, shortened and in plain language
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the prospect of Canada becoming the first "associate member" of the European Union.
Mr Carney spoke at the European Parliament a day after the European Commission president floated the idea of a closer association between Canada and the EU.
While the 27 members of the EU would have to agree on the plan for associate membership, Australia and New Zealand could follow, the European Parliament president said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect of Canada becoming the first associate member of the EU in her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.
Short of full membership of the trading bloc, an "associate membership" status does not yet exist but could mean closer regulatory alignment, access to some parts of the single market and participation in some EU programmes.
Ms Metsola said Australia and New Zealand are examples of deep relationships.
The ABC has contacted the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump derided Ms von der Leyen's overtures to Canada as "laughable" and said he would hit Europe with further tariffs if he deemed the proposal hostile.
Mr Trump threatened late on Wednesday to take action against the EU if it moves forward with Ms von der Leyen's proposal of associate membership for Canada.
The European Commission said Ms von der Leyen's proposal — which is yet to be fleshed out and will need to be approved by EU member states to go forward — was not a hostile act.
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