Trudeau to visit Latvia ahead of NATO summit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will fly to Latvia for a two-day visit starting July 9, ahead of the NATO summit in Brussels, his office said Tuesday.
In addition to holding talks in Riga with Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis and President Raimonds Vejonis, Trudeau is also set to visit the Canadian-led multinational NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup based in the country.
The battlegroup 'plays a key role in Canada's efforts, together with Allies and partner countries, to maintain stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe,' a statement said.
Canada has deployed some 450 troops for the mission, dubbed Operation Reassurance, its largest sustained military presence in Europe in more than a decade.
NATO deployed four battalion-sized battlegroups in eastern Europe in a deterrence and defense posture following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The other three are based in Estonia, Lithuania and Poland and are led by Britain, Germany and the United States, respectively.
It will be the first ever bilateral visit by a Canadian head of government to Latvia, Trudeau's office added.
Trudeau will then head to Brussels for the NATO summit on July 11 and 12.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
