Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, announced today an expansion of Canada’s diplomatic presence and capacity in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
“Transatlantic security is critical to international stability. Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and horrific invasion of Ukraine has changed the security and diplomatic landscape in Europe, and Canada needs to respond strategically…to be on the ground, connected and engaged,” said Joly in a news release.
Joly said that there are plans to convert current Canadian offices in countries with strong and growing bilateral ties with Canada and key NATO Allies including Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia into full embassies with resident ambassadors, and strengthen Canadian presence at our embassy in Latvia.
Besides enhancing Canada’s engagement in the region, these changes would reportedly help counter Russia’s destabilizing activities and increase support for Operation REASSURANCE, following the report of Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe and Ambassador to Germany, on ways to increase Canadian support for Armenian democracy, Canada will also open a full embassy with a resident ambassador in Armenia, allowing for stronger bilateral ties and increased Canadian support for Armenian democracy.
“This diplomatic expansion will help guide Canada’s response to evolving security threats, enhance political and economic cooperation to support European Allies, and further counter the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and support Armenia in its democratic development,” said Jolly.
In the wake of the world experiencing a profound geopolitical shift with political, economic, security, and environmental impacts due to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Canada needs to act in combating growing authoritarian forces by strategically promoting its interests and democracy including pushing back on Russian influence.
Ensuring deeper collaboration between Canada and its international partners would effectively address the shifting security and diplomatic landscape to protect peace and democracy in Europe and globally.
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