Minister Anand to travel to Latvia, Estonia and Sweden
News release
May 17, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will travel to Latvia, Estonia and Sweden from May 19 to May 22, 2026.
On May 19, Minister Anand will be in Riga, Latvia, to meet with Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, to deepen defence-industrial collaboration between Canada and Latvia. Minister Anand will also visit Camp Labrie, a Canadian Armed Forces compound located near Riga, which serves as a core facility for the Canada-led NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE.
On May 20 and 21, Minister Anand will travel to Tallinn, Estonia, to participate in the Canada-Baltics “3+1” meeting. She will join Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, and Minister Braže, to discuss coordinated support for Ukraine and broaden strategic cooperation between Canada and Baltic countries on economic resilience, critical supply chains and transatlantic security. Minister Anand will also speak at the Latitude 59 startup and technology conference and meet with Erkki Keldo, Estonia’s Minister of Economy and Industry, to encourage more trade and investment in artificial intelligence, quantum and other digital technologies. Minister Anand will also officially inaugurate the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Estonia, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to continue building stronger bilateral ties between our countries.
From May 21 to 22, Minister Anand will participate in the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, where she will advance Canada’s priorities alongside Allies. The meeting comes at a critical time for Euro-Atlantic security and will focus on reinforcing Allied unity and resolve in the face of evolving strategic challenges. Minister Anand will engage with Allied and Ukrainian counterparts on efforts to strengthen coordinated support for Ukraine. She will also hold bilateral meetings with Allies to discuss collective deterrence and defence.
Quick facts
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As NATO Allies, Canada, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania collaborate extensively to support Euro-Atlantic security, particularly on NATO’s eastern flank to deter and defend against Russian aggression. Canada and its Baltic Allies are united in supporting Ukraine.
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Canada and Estonia enjoy strong bilateral relations. Canada has had a diplomatic mission in Tallinn since 1991. In July 2023, Canada’s office in Estonia was converted into a full embassy with a resident ambassador as part of the expansion of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
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NATO is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and a key platform for Canada’s contributions to international peace and security. Minister Anand’s meetings in Sweden will help laying the groundwork for the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara, Türkiye, in July 2026.
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