 Proponents argue that the cultural and political values of Canadians and Europeans have much in common unlike the rest of the American countries, and that Canadian membership would strengthen both sides politically and economically.While conceding that Canada, located in North America, and Europe are over distant, being separated by the North Atlantic, proponents note that the EU already has a member, Cyprus, that is geographically outside Europe.In addition, Canada is the closest American sovereign country to the European continent, specifically to Northern Europe.