Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, participated in the Second Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers in Mexico City, Mexico. The meeting was hosted by Mexico’s Secretary of National Defence, General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, and the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, and attended by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
During the meeting, the Defence Ministers discussed challenges to North American security, including North American southern border security, cyber defence, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Minister Nicholson also signed the Declaration of Intent on Defence Cooperation between Canada and Mexico with General Cienfuegos and Admiral Soberón. The Declaration of Intent further solidifies defence relations between Canada and Mexico, and demonstrates commitment by both countries to continue cooperation in areas such as military training, support to civilian authorities, defence research, defence materiel cooperation, defence industry matters, as well as other areas of importance to defence and security.
“Canada, the United States, and Mexico share common goals and interests about the defence and security of North America. Canada enjoys positive and strong defence relations with the U.S. and Mexico, and together, we share a common determination to strengthen North American defence. The Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers has given us a valuable opportunity to further deepen our cooperation and collaboration towards our common goals of ensuring the security of our citizens, and our continent. Signing the Declaration of Intent on Defence Cooperation with Mexico is a demonstration of this cooperation and collaboration, and shows Canada’s commitment to deepening the defence component of Canada’s longstanding, friendly relations with Mexico.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of National Defence
Joint Statement 2nd Meeting of North American Defense Ministers
Associated Links
Backgrounder - The Canada-U.S. Defence Relationship
Canada-Mexico defence relations
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