Technical Arrangement to support NATO Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia

News Release

April 18, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces 

Canada is a leading member of NATO that has always deployed our troops and equipment when and where they are needed most. The Government of Canada is committed to taking concrete action so that Canadians – and people around the world – can feel safe and secure in their communities. Canada will lead a robust multinational NATO battlegroup in Latvia, becoming one of four Framework Nations, as part of the Alliance’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Central and Eastern Europe. 

A Technical Arrangement was signed by Brigadier-General Bruce Ploughman, Chief of Staff Readiness Canadian Joint Operations Command, and Brigadier-General Ivo Mogilnijs, Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters of the Latvian National Armed Forces today during a ceremony in Riga, Latvia, in the presence of His Excellency Alain Hausser, the Ambassador of Canada to Latvia, and Brigadier-General (retired) Juris Kiukucāns, Executive Secretary for Military Capability Development, Latvian Ministry of Defence. 

The Technical Arrangement between Canada and Latvia outlines the general principles, conditions and terms of reference governing the establishment and operation of the NATO eFP Battlegroup. 

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are committed to the successful establishment of the NATO eFP Battlegroup. The timely establishment of this arrangement demonstrates our resolve to work hand-in-hand with our NATO Allies.   

Additional multimedia

Brigadier-General Bruce Ploughman, Chief of Staff Readiness at Canadian Joint Operations Command, and Brigadier-General Ivo Mogilnijs, Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters of the Latvian National Armed Forces today sign a Technical Agreement during a ceremony in Riga, Latvia. The Technical Arrangement between Canada and Latvia outlines the general principles, conditions and terms of reference governing the establishment and operation of the NATO eFP Battlegroup.

Quotes

“This event brings us one step closer to the arrival of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Latvia, alongside our partners from Albania, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. Our leadership of the enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup reaffirms our unwavering commitment to NATO and its goal of collective security.”

-Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

“I am pleased that Canada led battlegroup will be soon deployed in Latvia, and this arrangement is the basis of its successful deployment in our country and provision of host nation support for it. Latvia is a member of the strongest military alliance in the world, and the presence of Canada led battle group in Latvia will strengthen our security significantly.”

-Raimonds Bergmanis, Latvian Defence Minister

 

“We will soon be deploying a sizable force to Latvia to strengthen NATO’s posture in Central and Eastern Europe. The women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces are among the best in the world, and I am confident our presence will effectively promote security and stability in the region. “

-General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff

Quick Facts

  • Canada will be establishing its largest sustained military presence on Allied territory since the early 1990s by leading a multinational eFP Battlegroup in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE.

  • Canada will contribute a Land Task Force of up to 455 personnel including a battlegroup headquarters element, a mechanized infantry company, combat service support, vehicles and equipment based in Latvia to support NATO’s eFP in Eastern and Central Europe.

  • As announced by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July 2016, Canada has committed land, sea and air assets to further strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture and to further assure our Allies of NATO’s commitment to our common security under Operation REASSURANCE.

  • The presence of the Canadian-led eFP Battlegroup is defensive, proportionate and fully in line with NATO’s international commitments.

Associated Links

Contacts

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100 

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

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