Minister Champagne to participate in NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

April 1, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that he will participate in the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on April 2, 2020. The meeting will be conducted by video conference.

Together, the ministers will discuss the transatlantic security implications of the COVID-19 crisis, including the importance of coordinating the international response.

The meeting will also be an important opportunity for the ministers to discuss NATO’s broader engagement in the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to issues relative to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

This will be the first NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the participation of 30 Allies, as the Alliance welcomed North Macedonia as a full member on March 27, 2020.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a test for all of us and highlights the crucial role NATO continues to play. Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to the rules-based international order and I look forward to discussing with Allies how we must work together and support each other during this time of crisis.”

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada has been a member of NATO since it was founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C.  

  • NATO remains a vital force contributing to international peace and security. Today, the security alliance includes 30 countries from North America and Europe.

  • Part of NATO’s work includes strengthening resilience, and the Alliance is committed to continuing its work to enhance civil emergency preparedness.

  • Canada has led NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) since its launch in July 2018. NMI is a non-combat advisory and training mission designed to help build more effective and sustainable Iraqi defence and security institutions.

  • Minister Champagne recently visited Canadian troops deployed to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battle Group Latvia, as part of Canada’s Operation REASSURANCE, as well as troops deployed to Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine.

  • Canada assumed a leadership role as one of four Framework Nations for the NATO eFP in June 2017, leading a robust multinational battlegroup in Latvia to which 540 Canadian Armed Forces personnel are deployed. Other allies working with Canada in Latvia include Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

  • North Macedonia became NATO’s 30th member on March 27, 2020, after all Allies ratified its accession. 

Associated links

Contacts

Syrine Khoury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Syrine.Khoury@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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