NR 12.196 - September 28, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay, today met with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon E. Panetta, at the Pentagon, where they discussed the close security and defence relationship between Canada and the United States.
“It is always a pleasure to meet with Secretary of Defense Panetta and to reinforce our longstanding partnership and the close friendship that our nations have enjoyed for so many years,” said Minister MacKay. “Our relationship is founded on a shared commitment to the joint defence of North America, our partnerships as NATO allies and our cooperation globally.”
During the bilateral meeting a number of continental and global issues were discussed, including the upcoming Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) which Minister MacKay will attend from October 8-10th in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, as well as NATO, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
While in Washington, Minister MacKay was awarded the Dr. William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education by the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS). The CHDS noted Minister MacKay’s support of the CDMA and of the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), as instrumental to the improvement of hemispheric response to large-scale disasters, as well as in the coordination of efforts to address emerging threats and challenges to the region.
The United States is Canada’s most important ally and defence partner. Defence and security relations between our two countries are based on common values, shared histories and a strong culture of military cooperation and interoperability.
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