Minister Joly to travel to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

November 27, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be travelling to Brussels, Belgium from November 27 to 29 to attend a meeting of the NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers. In Brussels, Minister Joly will meet with her counterparts from NATO countries to discuss shared priorities and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to addressing key global security challenges.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its 22nd month, Minister Joly will reaffirm Canada’s dedication to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Canada continues to advocate for Ukraine’s accession to NATO as soon as conditions allow.

During the meeting, Minister Joly will also underscore the need for constructive political engagement in the Western Balkans, where growing tensions have led to the injuries of 93 NATO peacekeepers. Canada supports ongoing efforts to promote enhanced stability and strengthen democratic institutions in the region.

While in Brussels, Minister Joly will engage with her NATO counterparts regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Noting the progress made with the agreement on the release of hostages and the extended humanitarian pause in Gaza, she will reiterate Canada’s demand that all hostages in Gaza be released and all foreign nationals be allowed to safely exit Gaza. She will also reiterate Canada’s call to avoid the further loss of innocent civilian life, Israeli and Palestinian, and move toward long-lasting peace in the region.

The Foreign Ministers will also discuss defence spending commitments, NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, and the newly established NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, among other shared priorities. 

Quotes

“At a time when the world faces an increasingly complex political and security environment, Canada remains committed to bolstering transatlantic cooperation and security. I look forward to continuing to address pressing international challenges with our NATO Allies in Brussels.”

- Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada co-founded NATO in 1949. Today, the alliance consists of 31 member states united in their commitment to transatlantic security and defence

  • Current Canadian contributions to NATO include:

    • Supporting NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe through Operation REASSURANCE. With approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members currently deployed, it is Canada’s largest international military operation. Canada has been leading the multinational enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia since 2017, and in July 2023, the Prime Minister announced the renewal and expansion of Operation REASSURANCE, committing $2.6 billion for a three-year mandate, with up to 2,200 CAF troops persistently deployed;
    • Hosting the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, located in Montréal, Quebec and NATO’s North American Regional Office of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), to be located in Halifax, Nova Scotia;
    • Continuing to support training and capacity-building efforts in the Middle East under Operation IMPACT, including through NATO Mission Iraq, contributing to lasting security and stability in the country; and
    • Providing Canadian Armed Forces personnel support to the NATO-led international peace support operation in Kosovo through Operation KOBOLD.

  •  In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Canada has committed to date over $9.7 billion in financial, military, humanitarian, development, security and stabilization and immigration assistance. This includes over $2.4 billion worth of military assistance donations to Ukraine, including Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and an armoured recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System with associated munitions, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing and more.

Associated links

Contacts

Isabella Orozco-Madison
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Isabella.OrozcoMadison@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
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