Canada to deploy officers to NATO headquarters in Latvia

OTTAWA - Canada will deploy a Canadian Armed Forces general officer and six staff officers to NATO's Multinational Division North Headquarters based in Adazi of Latvia, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.

According to a news release posted on the prime minister's website, Trudeau made the announcement after meeting with Latvia's Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins during the latter's visit to Canada from May 10 to 12.

The prime ministers stressed the importance of coordination among members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and discussed ways to further strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence measures in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Baltic region.

The prime ministers also expressed their shared support for Finland joining the NATO Alliance, the release said.

Canada currently has approximately 700 Canadian Armed Forces personnel leading NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE.

Created in March 2019, NATO's Multinational Division North Headquarters performs several vital roles, including support for the defense planning of Baltic nations, and the coordination of regional military activities, such as the activities of enhanced Forward Presence forces, according to the release.