NR - 13.339 - November 21, 2013
OTTAWA - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, and Israeli Minister of Defence Moshe Ya’alon met today for the first time to discuss how to enhance cooperation and build on a growing defence relationship between Canada and Israel.
“It was an honour for me to meet with Minister Ya’alon on his visit to Ottawa,” said Minister Nicholson. “I am proud to say that Canada and Israel enjoy close military relations at all levels. The strong ties between Canada and Israel are based on our shared values, including democracy and the rule of law. Our cooperation in terms of defence is continually improving, and I am confident that we will find avenues to expand our defence relations even further in the near future.”
Minister Nicholson and Minister Ya’alon also took the opportunity to discuss the Principal Memorandum of Understanding signed by Canada and Israel in January 2011, which laid a foundation for Canadian-Israeli defence cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, training, search and rescue, intelligence, command and control and the sharing of new technologies. Since being signed, it has shaped and added momentum to the development of our defence relationship. This document acts as the basis of future cooperation between our two militaries.
While in Canada, Minister Ya’alon will also join Minister Nicholson in Halifax for the fifth annual Halifax International Security Forum, taking place from November 22-24 2013.
Canada and Israel have an excellent bilateral relationship, marked by close political, economic, social and cultural ties. Our two countries enjoy a strong and growing friendship that has been strengthened in recent years by increased cooperation in several areas including public security, defence, trade and investment, and the increased frequency of ministerial visits.
-30-
