Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today concluded his participation in a landmark North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, where he met with Allied leaders to advance transatlantic security, particularly in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Allies reiterated their unwavering commitment to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s unlawful, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression. They agreed on a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine. Leaders decided to further strengthen NATO’s longer-term deterrence and defense posture, agreed to increase joint funding, adopted NATO’s new Strategic Concept and invited Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance. The talks also focused on strengthening the Alliance’s resilience and increasing NATO’s technological lead.

At the summit, the prime minister announced that Canada would increase its military presence in Latvia by expanding NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (AFP) mission in the country. Canada will continue to lead the NATO PAR Battle Group and act as a framework nation, developing a sustainable short-term plan together with Latvia that will allow Canada to deploy a combat-capable brigade to the country. Canada will work closely with Latvia, NATO and allies to build and deploy forces and will invest in infrastructure and training areas to support troop reinforcements. This support builds on Canada’s leadership in Latvia and the contributions it has already made there over the past five years.

The Prime Minister also announced that Canada will provide six more drone cameras and is currently finalizing negotiations for the delivery of up to 39 armored combat support vehicles to Ukraine, including parts needed for repairs and maintenance. This will be Canada’s final contribution to Ukraine under the US$500 million in military assistance announced in the 2022 budget.

Leaders also adopted NATO’s new Strategic Concept, which is the blueprint for adapting NATO to the changing security environment over the next decade and beyond. The new concept reaffirms the values ​​of the Alliance and defines NATO’s three main missions: deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and common security. The concept is consistent with Canada’s broader foreign policy priorities in the areas of women, peace and security, and climate change.

In addition, Canada will strengthen its diplomatic presence and network in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, including the establishment of a new embassy in Armenia and the conversion of current Canadian offices in Estonia, Lithuania and Slovakia into formal embassies with ambassadors on the ground and by increasing our presence in our embassy in Latvia.

In addition, the Prime Minister announced Canada’s intention to host the North American regional office of NATO’s North Atlantic Defense Innovation Accelerator (DIANA). DIANA will consist of a network of innovation hubs, technology accelerators and test centers spread across Europe and North America. This will encourage and protect Allied innovation, including Canadian innovation. DIANA will enable defense personnel to collaborate with leading alliance startups, academic researchers and technology companies to remain competitive and ready to solve significant defense and security challenges.

In addition, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that NATO’s Center of Excellence on Climate Change and Security (CEOCS) will be based in Montreal. The center will lead collaborative work to address security challenges posed by climate change – such as extreme weather events – and to reduce the environmental impact of military operations. This center, which will be NATO’s first Center of Excellence in Canada, will cement Montreal’s status as a global hub for international organizations.

During the summit, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the Secretary General of NATO, as well as his counterparts from Australia, Denmark, Finland, South Korea and Sweden. The Prime Minister also met the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Quote

“Faced with Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine – an assault on democracy, human rights, freedom and security around the world – NATO has reaffirmed its transatlantic relationship. NATO Allies are united and determined to defend Alliance values ​​and strengthen our defensive alliance now and in the future. »

highlights

• The Prime Minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Defense Minister Anita Anand.
• Canada strongly supports Finland and Sweden’s application for NATO membership and has taken domestic steps to persuade them to join as soon as possible.
• DIANA will focus on emerging and disruptive technologies that NATO sees as priorities: artificial intelligence, big data processing, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, biotechnologies, innovative materials and space.
• The ongoing effort to establish the NATO Center of Excellence on Climate Change and Security is being led jointly by Global Affairs Canada and the Department of Defense. Canada is working closely with NATO, allies and other stakeholders to finalize the design of the Center of Excellence. Canada aims to establish the Center of Excellence in 2024 or later.
• Currently, Canada contributes to the following NATO operations, missions and activities:
  • Operation REASSURANCE in support of NATO appeasement and deterrence operations in Central and Eastern Europe:
    • since 2017 head of NATO’s Multinational Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia as framework nation;
    • Deployed General Staff and Staff to Multinational Division North Headquarters in Latvia;
    • Use of CF-18 fighters to conduct surveillance and air policing activities in Europe. The next deployment will take place in the summer of 2022;
    • to deploy two Halifax-class frigates to the Standing NATO Maritime Response Force Groups, HMCS Halifax and HMCS Montreal, which will return to Canada in July 2022;
    • Provision of two Kingston-class coastal defense ships for the 1^ah Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group, which will join NATO in July 2022;
    • Provision of a CP-140 Aurora aircraft from February to July 2022.
  • Support for training and capacity building efforts in the Middle East as part of Operation IMPACT, particularly as part of NATO’s mission in Iraq;
  • Personnel deployment in the Kosovo Force of NATO.
• Canada has also placed 3,400 Canadian Armed Forces personnel from all military divisions on higher readiness for deployment as part of the NATO Response Force, should the need arise.
• Canada is also providing two CC-130 Hercules aircraft operating out of the UK to support bilateral Allied donations to Ukraine.

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