Defence Minister Anand concludes productive NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting
News release
February 17, 2022 – Brussels, Belgium – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand marked the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels, Belgium. Over the past two days, Minister Anand participated in productive discussions with Allied counterparts about the security situation in and around Ukraine, and other security challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic area.
While at NATO Headquarters, Minister Anand joined her counterparts in expressing deep concern over Russia’s unwarranted aggression in and around Ukraine. She reiterated Canada’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity and highlighted Canada’s recent announcement of lethal military aid to support Ukraine, as well as a loan offer of up to $500 million.
On February 16, Minister Anand spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, her counterpart from Latvia, and held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Belgium, France, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.
During meetings with her counterparts, Minister Anand further reaffirmed Canada’s ongoing commitment to NATO on several key matters, including:
- Strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture to ensure it remains ready and adaptable in the face of current and future security challenges;
- Enhancing NATO-EU cooperation in a number of areas, including military mobility, where leveraging the strengths and roles of our respective institutional and national approaches will support the development of coherent and interoperable defence capabilities;
- Advancing the integration of gender perspectives into activities related to collective defence and ensuring the meaningful integration of women, peace, and security in the renewed Strategic Concept.
During the evening of February 16, Minister Anand travelled to the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and other international partners about the situation in the Sahel. Minister Anand reiterated Canada’s strong desire to re-establish peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
On February 17, Minister Anand and Latvia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr. Artis Pabriks, co-hosted a multilateral meeting of Defence Ministers representing contributing countries to the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia, which Canada has led since 2017, and which is Canada’s largest foreign military deployment. She also held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Minister Anand then joined U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, for a trilateral meeting about the security situation in Europe.
Finally, Minister Anand traveled to Mons, Belgium to visit with Canadian Armed Forces personnel stationed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), whom she thanked for their hard work in support of the Alliance.
Minister Anand will now travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, where she will join Minister Joly to discuss global security challenges with Canadian allies and partners.
Quotes
“NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s defence and foreign policy. At this pivotal moment for the security of Ukraine, Europe, and the world, Canada’s commitment to the Alliance is steadfast and unwavering. Canada will continue to support NATO’s deterrence efforts in Europe, as we work to assure the security of our Allies and defend the rules-based international order. I appreciated this opportunity to discuss global challenges with my Allied counterparts, and I look forward to ensuring Canada’s continued engagement with members of the NATO Alliance.
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
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NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. Canada believes in and steadfastly supports NATO’s principle of collective defence and is providing direct support to NATO missions and operations
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Currently, Canada is:
- Leading the multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia;
- Periodically deploying CF-18 fighter aircraft to conduct surveillance and air policing activities in Europe;
- Providing a Halifax-class frigate on a persistent, rotational basis to a Standing NATO Maritime Group, in support of maritime operations and to conduct deterrence and assurance activities. HMCS Montreal is currently deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two;
- Commodore Bradley Peats of the Royal Canadian Navy commanded Standing NATO Maritime Group One from January 2021 to January 2022; and
- Supporting training and capacity-building efforts in the Middle East under Operation IMPACT, including through NATO Mission Iraq; and
- Deploying personnel to NATO’s Kosovo Force.
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As part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence, Canada has assumed a leadership role as one of four Framework Nations and is leading a robust multinational NATO battle group in Latvia. Canada’s contribution of up to 540 personnel, vehicles and equipment includes a headquarters element, a mechanized infantry company, and combat service support based at Camp Ādaži.
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The extension and expansion in scope of Operation UNIFIER, announced on January 26, 2022, contributes to a whole-of-government effort to support Ukraine alongside the diplomatic efforts of Global Affairs Canada to deter and de-escalate Russia’s ongoing aggressive and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine.
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During the June 2021 NATO Summit, Canada proposed to establish and host a new NATO Centre of Excellence on Climate and Security and work with Allies as the Centre’s framework nation. This Centre would provide Allies with a central location to pool their knowledge and develop effective preparedness and responses to the security impacts of climate change.
Associated links
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
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