NR 13.127 - May 2, 2013
OTTAWA – General Tom Lawson, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, concluded a European stopover earlier this week where he paid a visit to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, and then participated in the Partners in Defence Dialogue held in the United Kingdom (UK). During these visits, General Lawson met with Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and his British counterpart, General Sir David Richards.
While in Italy, General Lawson and Admiral Clingan discussed several subjects including NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR), and the Alliance’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and interoperability between its member states and with its Partners. General Lawson also met with Mr. James Fox, Canada’s Ambassador to Italy, and spoke with Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families stationed in the region, including the Allied Joint Force Command’s Canadian Deputy Commander, Lieutenant‑General Marquis Hainse.
“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit our military members and their families who are doing a magnificent job representing our nation in Europe. It is clear they are highly respected by our NATO allies and they are truly a credit to Canada,” stated General Lawson. “My time in the UK also afforded an excellent opportunity to follow up on General Sir Richards’ visit to Canada last year. We share a special relationship with the UK, one built upon long-standing trust, tradition and many common values. This translates very well into a strong Defence relationship.”
During his time in the United Kingdom, General Lawson participated in the Partners in Defence Dialogue, and presented several commendations to deserving Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving in the area. The Partners in Defence Dialogue discussions centered on continuing Canadian and British efforts to strengthen their joint partnership to better meet the international security challenges of the future together. These annual meetings are held in support of the Canada-UK Joint Declaration, signed in 2011 by Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and David Cameron.
The PDD also supports the Canada-United Kingdom Declaration of Intent, signed by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the British Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable Philip Hammond, in February 2013. This document seeks to increase coherence between our respective Defence Departments and Armed Forces at the strategic level through the establishment of a governance framework.
The defence relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom is based on strong historical ties and is fostered by close cooperation in international organizations including the United Nations, NATO, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, among others. Both countries place a high priority on defence and security cooperation, as has been highlighted by operations in Afghanistan and Libya.
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