Minister Sajjan Attends Munich Security Conference, Wraps up Successful Week in Europe
News Release
February 14, 2016 - Munich
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan participated in the Munich Security Conference from February 12 to 13, 2016. The event marked the last stop in a series of productive meetings where the Minister underscored Canada’s commitment to working with Allies and partners to address the most pressing security challenges facing the global community.
Quick Facts:
- From February 10-11, 2016 Minister Sajjan attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers Meeting. The Minister held a number of bilateral meetings with Allies and partners on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministerial Meeting including the United States, Italy, Germany, France, Turkey, New Zealand, Poland and Iraq. He also met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and they discussed the Alliance’s response to the evolving security environment along NATO’s borders, as well as priorities for the upcoming Warsaw Leaders’ Summit.
- On February 11, 2016, Minister Sajjan participated in the meeting of defence ministers from countries contributing to the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), hosted by US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter. At the Coalition meeting, Minister Sajjan took the opportunity to outline details of Canada’s expanded mission in Iraq and Syria, as announced by Prime Minister Trudeau and Ministers on February 8, 2016.
- The Minister wrapped up his visit to Europe at the annual Munich Security Conference, February 12-13, 2016. This year’s conference focused on a range of topics, including terrorism, the migrant crisis and the international response to ongoing regional conflicts such as global coalition efforts to counter ISIL.
- On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Minister Sajjan held a number of bilateral meetings including with Jordan, Germany, Israel and Japan and the United States.
- In his second official meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Minister Sajjan underscored Canada’s continued commitment to working with Jordan to help address the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria and the impact they are having on the surrounding region.
- During Minister Sajjan’s engagement with Germany’s Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen, he said he looked forward to working with Germany on issues of mutual interest.
- Minister Sajjan also met with Brett McGurk, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. During their meeting they discussed details of Canada's recent announcement to enhance and extend its military engagement under Operation IMPACT.
QUOTE
“I was impressed by the collaborative nature of discussions during my meetings with Allies and partners this week in Brussels and Munich, as we work to address the ever-changing and complex global security environment which impacts us all. Canada is a committed partner in these efforts.”
Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
Associated Links
- Prime Minister sets new course to address crises in Iraq and Syria
- Operation IMPACT
- Canadian Armed Forces Images Gallery
-30-
Media inquiries
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Search for related information by keyword
Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military