Bilateral telephone call between the defence ministers of Canada and Spain

Defence Minister Anita Anand today held a video teleconference with the Minister of Defence of Spain, Margarita Robles. This was their first meeting.

December 17, 2021 – Ottawa, Ont. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Defence Minister Anita Anand today held a video teleconference with the Minister of Defence of Spain, Margarita Robles. This was their first meeting.

The ministers discussed several issues of mutual interest, shared concerns regarding Russia’s recent aggressive and destabilizing actions in and around Ukraine, with both ministers agreeing that the situation requires a coordinated response from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies. Minister Anand expressed appreciation for Spain’s significant contributions to the Canada-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia, as well as Spain’s commitment to hold an event on the margins of next year’s NATO Summit which would highlight the successes achieved through multinational cooperation.

Minister Anand indicated that she looked forward to Spain hosting the NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022. The two ministers discussed their objectives for the Summit and agreed on the importance of remaining on track with the implementation of the NATO 2030 decisions, including renewal of NATO’s Strategic Concept, strengthening the Alliance deterrence and defence posture, and enhancing NATO’s role in supporting Allied resilience and preserving NATO’s technological edge. They also discussed the interrelationship between climate change and security, and Spain conveyed support for Canada’s offer to establish a NATO Climate and Security Centre of Excellence.

Both ministers emphasized their support for NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), and the need for the mission to become self-sustaining in the coming years. Minister Anand thanked Spain for its contribution to both NMI and the Global Coalition, noting the common objectives of strengthening the Iraqi Security Forces and defeating Daesh.

Canada and Spain share an enduring partnership founded on our common commitment to multilateralism, transatlantic relations, and the fundamental values of respect for human rights, democracy, and diverse and inclusive societies. The two ministers also emphasized their shared commitment to peacekeeping. The empowerment of women is a particular area of focus for both countries, as articulated in the joint 2018 gender equality declaration and as embodied in both nations’ feminist foreign policies.

Associated Links

• Canada-Spain Relations
• Declaration in favour of gender equality between the government of Spain and the government of Canada
• Operation Unifier
• Operation Impact
• CF Operations Twitter

Contacts

Daniel Minden
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: Daniel.Minden@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca