April 2, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting from April 3 to 4, 2019, and the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting from April 5 to 6, 2019.
The meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Washington, D.C., marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the alliance. After the Second World War, Canada was one of the first countries to propose a transatlantic defensive alliance – an alliance of democracies – and the Minister will highlight Canada's continued and steadfast commitment to the most successful political and military alliance in history.
The Minister and her counterparts will discuss the modern-day challenges affecting transatlantic security, violent extremism, and resilience against hybrid and cyber threats.
At the meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers in Dinard, France, the Minister and her colleagues will discuss action on international and security issues, including those related to Venezuela, Ukraine and Russia, North Korea and Syria.
The meeting will also be an opportunity for G7 Foreign Ministers to exchange views on threats to democracy, including foreign interference, human rights violations, terrorism and violent radicalization, as well as how to best address xenophobia, racism and discrimination worldwide.
"At a time when the world faces a rapidly changing political and security environment, Canada is committed to working with its NATO and G7 allies to tackle global challenges. Canadians helped build the rules-based international order. We are proud to be among its defenders today because we know that multilateralism is our only path to a more peaceful and more prosperous world."
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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Canada has been a member of NATO since it was founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C. NATO remains a vital force contributing to international peace and security. Today, the security alliance includes 29 countries from North America and Europe.
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Canada assumed a leadership role as one of four NATO Framework Nations in June 2017, leading a robust multinational battlegroup of 540 Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Latvia. In July 2019, the Prime Minister announced the extension of this mission until 2023. Other allies working with Canada in Latvia include Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
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Canada also now leads the NATO Mission Iraq. Canada is contributing 250 personnel to the NATO mission, including the Commander, a force protection unit, trainers and a helicopter detachment.
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The G7 brings together Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
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The G7 dates back to the mid-1970s, and the G7 presidency, which rotates annually between member countries, sets the agenda for the year in consultation with G7 partners. Canada held the G7 presidency in 2018 and France holds the presidency in 2019.
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Following the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, leaders will meet at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Biarritz, France, 24-26 August 2019.
