Canada to increase troop numbers in Latvia / Article - EUROPE SAYS
NATO’s summit in Türkiye concluded on July 8th, with one of the outcomes being a commitment from Canada to increase the number of troops it has stationed in Latvia as part of NATO’s collective defence. . .
NATO’s summit in Türkiye concluded on July 8th, with one of the outcomes being a commitment from Canada to increase the number of troops it has stationed in Latvia as part of NATO’s collective defence posture. While in Ankara, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, after which it was announced that Canada would expand its contingent in Latvia. “I want to emphasize that we are extending and deepening our engagement. Canadian forces will remain in Latvia until 2031, and we will increase our contingent leading the international mission from approximately 2,200 soldiers to 2,600,” Carney said, adding that he had a very positive picture of NATO operations in Latvia based upon his visit eleven months ago. Prime Minister Carney also confirmed that Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation for NATO’s Multinational Division North and said he looked forward to deepening cooperation with both partners to reinforce defence and security along NATO’s Eastern Flank. “The Prime Minister and the President discussed strengthening the bilateral partnership, including through increased trade, investment, and defence industrial cooperation. Prime Minister Carney emphasised Canada’s membership in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, unlocking defence procurement opportunities. The leaders discussed the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank and its potential to strengthen Allied defence industrial production. Prime Minister Carney welcomed Latvia’s support for the initiative and discussed opportunities to encourage broader participation,” said a release from the Canadian government. The Prime Minister and the President also reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine and underscored the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia, including through sanctions. For his part, President Rinkēvičs emphasised the upside of the NATO summit, despite headlines being dominated by the latest outbursts from United States President Donald Trump, which included repeating his desire to seize control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. “This summit, which some expected to be very problematic, was good, at least in terms of internal dynamics. Our task now is to keep a cool head and not panic at every escalation,” said Rinkēvičs. At the end of the working session of the summit, heads of state and government approved the Ankara Summit Declaration. It can be found on theNATO website. Seen a mistake?Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editorSelect text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editorTell us about a mistakeTags:JaunumilatviaLatvija