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Canadian, Latvian FMs discuss deployment of Canada-led NATO troops

Xinhua, July 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion made a working visit to Latvia on Monday after his country was named at the NATO Warsaw Summit last weekend as one of the framework nations to lead the Alliance's battalions that are soon to be deployed in the Baltic states and Poland.

During his visit to Riga, Dion met with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis and Janis Sarts, Director of the Riga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (StratCom COE).

"Latvia highly appreciates the support Canada provided to refugees from Latvia after the Second World War. I also want to express gratitude for Canada's support during Latvia's accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development," the Latvian Foreign Ministry quoted Rikevics as saying.

Rinkevics also voiced Latvia's support for the ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement/CETA between Canada and the European Union (EU).

The diplomats agreed that both sides have to get to work as soon as possible so that the agreements that have been reached in regard to the Canada-led NATO battle group's deployment in Latvia could be implemented by the beginning of 2017.

Dion indicated that the purpose of Canadian troops' deployment in Latvia is to ensure a successful implementation of NATO's deterrence policy and to demonstrate friendship, solidarity and readiness to defend every square centimeter of Latvian territory.

"Canada is proud to provide assistance to Latvia as a friend, ally and guest," Dion said. Endit