The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met today with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to discuss Canada's ongoing contributions to the Alliance and shared security priorities, with a particular focus on the Arctic.
Minister Anand underscored that Canada has reached the Alliance's benchmark of 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in defence investments and is on the path towards The Hague Summit's 5 percent pledge, in response to an increasingly complex global security environment. She reaffirmed Canada's strong commitment to collective defence, including expanded contributions to deterrence and defence across the Euro-Atlantic region, including in the Arctic.
The Minister highlighted Canada's efforts to strengthen our security, enhance resilience, and accelerate the development of emerging technologies. She updated Secretary General Rutte on Canada's leadership in working with Allies and like-minded partners to establish the Defence Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), an innovative solution that will strengthen the defence industrial base of its members.
Minister Anand also emphasized Canada's efforts in advancing innovative approaches to Allied security cooperation, and the importance of deepening collaboration with like-minded Allies, particularly Nordic partners. She reinforced Canada's commitment to bolstering military support to Ukraine, highlighting Canada's recent announcement of approximately $270 million towards the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which helps address Ukraine's critical military needs.
Secretary General Rutte welcomed Canada's influential role and reiterated the importance of transatlantic unity in addressing evolving and emerging threats. Minister Anand and the Secretary General agreed to continue working towards a successful ministerial meeting in Helsingborg and Summit in Ankara.
