NR 13.195 - June 18, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, met today with new U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel in Washington, D.C., for their first formal bilateral meeting since Secretary Hagel took office in February 2013.
“I was honoured to meet with Secretary of Defense Hagel and to build on the longstanding friendship and partnership that our two countries have enjoyed for so many years,” said Minister MacKay. “The Canada- U.S. relationship is unique. Each and every day our nations’ military and defence teams work together. From the defence of North America through our bi-national command of NORAD, to our partnership in meeting common global security challenges,” he added.
During the bilateral meeting, Secretary Hagel and Minister MacKay discussed key areas of interest for the Canada-U.S. defence relationship, our partnership within the hemispheres, perspectives on Asia-Pacific and broader global issues.
While in Washington, Minister MacKay delivered an address to the Council of Delegates of the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB) and representatives of the various Permanent Representative Missions to the Organization of American States (OAS), during a meeting of the IADB. Prior to his speech, Minister MacKay met with the Secretary General of the OAS, Jose Miguel Inzulsa.
The IADB is a forum of nationally-appointed military representatives that provides the OAS and its members with technical and educational advice, and consultancy services, on hemispheric defence matters. During his address, Minister MacKay emphasized the importance of Canada’s close ties with the Americas, as well as Canada’s ongoing defence engagements in the region. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Canadian Lieutenant-General Guy Thibault for his two years of exemplary service as the Chair of the IADB.
Earlier in the day, Minister MacKay awarded U.S. Senator John McCain an Honourary Doctorate of Military Science from the Royal Military College of Canada. Dr. Joel Sokolsky, Principal of the Royal Military College of Canada, and Major Ray Stouffer, Registrar, were also in Washington to participate in the ceremony. Senator McCain was awarded this honourary degree for his ongoing cooperation with Canada, as well as his years of dedicated work with Canada toward strengthening hemispheric and international security.
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