We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are deeply concerned by the large, ongoing buildup of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders and in illegally annexed Crimea.
Last fall, in line with our robust export control regime, the Government of Canada suspended export permits for military goods and technology to Turkey pending the results of an investigation into allegations that Canadian technology was being used by Azerbaijan in the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Minister Garneau expressed Canada’s concerns regarding the recent destabilizing Russian actions, including the movement of troops near Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea. He also expressed condolences to Ukraine and the families of the 4 Ukrainian service members who were killed in the Donbas on March 26.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting the stability and security of the Middle East region. Canada continues to support the peace and stabilization efforts of the Global Coalition against Daesh and the Global Coalition’s regional partners in Iraq and Syria.
On March 30, 2021, the Government of Canada announced more than $43.6 million in funding for 11 stabilization projects in Iraq and Syria. These projects, funded through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, are aligned with the Global Coalition against Daesh’s stabilization efforts in these countries. Since 2016, Canada has committed up to $3.5 billion through its Middle East engagement strategy to respond to the crises in Iraq and Syria and address the impact theyhave had on the region.
The Governments of Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the World Health Organization (WHO), international experts who have a vital mission, and the global community to understand the origins of this pandemic in order to improve our collective global health security and response.
At the invitation of Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group met virtually today to reaffirm our shared determination to continue the fight against Daesh/ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and to create conditions for an enduring defeat of the terrorist group, which remains the Coalition’s sole purpose, through a comprehensive, multifaceted effort.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced new sanctions against 2 individuals and 4 entities, under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations, in response to Russia’s illegal occupation and annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
The Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations impose asset freezes and dealings prohibitions on listed persons by prohibiting persons in Canada and Canadians outside of Canada from dealing in any property of these individuals or providing financial or related services to them.
Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the military’s use of force against protestors that left more than 100 people dead today in Myanmar. Our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones as well as the people of Myanmar, who continue to fight courageously for democracy.