June 24, 2015 - Brussels, Belgium - Department of National Defence
In their first meeting since taking their respective positions, Defence Minister Jason Kenney today met with United States (U.S.) Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter on the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
Joined by both Canadian and American senior Defence and military officials, the two Ministers discussed a number of common defence and security issues, including progress on the implementation of the NATO Readiness Action Plan (RAP), which is NATO’s comprehensive package of measures to help the Alliance adapt to the shifting security environment, as well as the Putin regime’s continuing aggression and interference in Ukraine, the upcoming deployment of CAF members to join the ongoing Ukraine Training Mission of which the U.S is part, and the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
The meeting was also a chance for the Ministers to discuss ongoing coalition efforts in Iraq and Syria. Minister Kenney reiterated Canada’s support to countering the threat of ISIS as well as Canada’s military contribution, which has been extended until the end of March 2016 and expanded to include air strikes in Syria. Minister Kenney also expressed concern for the plight of religious minority groups in Iraq and Syria.
“I was very pleased to meet with Secretary Carter for the first time and have a fruitful discussion on important issues of common interest. From our cooperation through NATO, to our work with the international coalition against ISIS, to our daily activities through NORAD to defend North America, our two countries enjoy a unique defence relationship,” said Minister Kenney. “The United States is Canada's most important ally and defence partner. Defence and security relations between our two countries are longstanding, well-entrenched and highly successful. The closeness of the Canada-U.S. defence partnership provides both countries with greater security than we could achieve individually.”
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Lauren Armstrong
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
lauren.armstrong2@forces.gc.ca
