Foreign ministers from Canada, Estonia and Lithuania, along with Latvia’s parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, met for the fourth Canada-Baltics “3+1” Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada.
The ministers described Russia as the “main long-term threat” to Euro-Atlantic security and pledged continued cooperation on defence, sanctions and countering foreign interference and disinformation.
The group also reiterated support for Ukraine, calling military assistance and reconstruction efforts a strategic priority while backing additional pressure on Moscow through sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
The ministers highlighted Canada’s leadership of NATO’s multinational brigade in Latvia and called for stronger situational awareness and resilience across the Arctic, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic regions.
They also discussed tensions in the Middle East, expressing concern over threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and emphasising the importance of freedom of navigation under international law.
The statement called for humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip and support for efforts aimed at achieving a durable ceasefire and broader regional stability.
The ministers additionally pledged to deepen economic and security cooperation through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and other Canada-European Union defence initiatives.