Readout Statement of Minister Sajjan's Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter

Statement

February 10, 2016

BRUSSELS – Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

During their first official meeting, Minister Sajjan committed to working with his counterpart on strengthening cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest, including through their active participation in NORAD and NATO.

On the situation in the Middle East, Minister Sajjan reaffirmed Canada’s commitment as a key Global Coalition partner to address the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria. He used the occasion to outline details of Canada’s refocused military strategy, as announced by Prime Minister Trudeau on February 8, 2016.

Both Minister Sajjan and Secretary Carter reiterated the special bond between the two countries and affirmed their commitment to stay in close communication.

- 30 -

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

Contacts

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Jordan.Owens@forces.gc.ca

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military