On 24 June, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney in The Hague, the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The meeting took place shortly before the start of the NATO Summit in The Hague and was the first encounter between the two officials since Mr Carney assumed office as Prime Minister of Canada on 14 March this year.
“It is both significant and logical that our participation in the NATO Summit commences with a bilateral meeting between Latvia and Canada, considering Canada's key role in leading the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. Latvia highly values Canada's contribution to strengthening our security and defence. Latvia fully committed to fulfilling its host nation obligations to ensure the development of appropriate infrastructure for Canadian and Allied forces – at the military bases in Ādaži, Ceri, Sēlija, as well as at the air base in Lielvārde,” emphasised President Rinkēvičs. The President of Latvia invited Prime Minister Carney to visit Latvia.
The President of Latvia expressed satisfaction with the Security and Defence Partnership concluded between the European Union and Canada on 23 June, and also highlighted the potential for deepening economic cooperation between Latvia and Canada. “The EU–Canada Security and Defence Partnership will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the excellent defence cooperation between Latvia and Canada. Canada can rely on Latvia as a trusted ally in Europe that will support the effective implementation of the newly established partnership. Our successful collaboration in the area of defence is also a strong foundation for enhancing our economic cooperation,” said President Rinkēvičs.
