Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting

News Release

March 30, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

As a founding and committed member of NATO, Canada has always deployed its military personnel and equipment when and where they are most needed. With its allies, Canada is focused on facing the threats and challenges of today, as well as those in the future. 

As part of Canada’s enduring commitment to NATO, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will attend the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on March 31, 2017. 

During the meeting, the Minister and her counterparts will discuss NATO’s most pressing issues, including burden sharing, Russia, counterterrorism, as well as preparations for the NATO Special Meeting of Heads of State and Government scheduled for May 25, 2017 in Brussels. This will be followed by a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission concerning the current situation in Ukraine and the implementation of allies’ commitments to support Ukraine made at the 2016 Warsaw Summit. 

Quotes

“Canada’s command of a NATO multinational battle group in Latvia is a clear demonstration of our leadership in this important alliance. Now more than ever, NATO is one of our most essential relationships. Our government’s concrete actions, together with our allies, underscore our commitment to the safety and security of Canadians and allied citizens.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

  • This is the Minister’s first participation at a NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting.

  • Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany constitute the four framework nations of NATO’s enhanced forward presence in Eastern Europe. Canada will lead the multinational battle group in Latvia.

  • Operation Reassurance refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces to support NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Eastern and Central Europe. It includes operational- and tactical-level demonstrations, manoeuvres and enhanced interoperability activities with allies and partners.

  • Canada, along with 11 other countries, founded NATO in 1949 on the fundamental values of democracy, individual liberty, human rights and the rule of law. Over the past 67 years, NATO has proven itself to be a major contributor to international peace and security.

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