Ottawa/IBNS: Canada’s Defence Minister Anita Anand reaffirmed the country's commitment to Latvia’s security as she welcomed her Latvian counterpart  Inara Murniece to Ottawa, a news release has said.

Serving as Framework Nation of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia since 2017, Canada has deployed approximately 800 Canadian Armed Forces members to Latvia.

Much-needed Junior Officer leadership development training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) would be delivered by CAF and Latvian National Armed Forces members through Operation UNIFIER to reportedly begin as early as May 15 of this year,  Ministers Anand and Mūrniece announced.

This training is in addition to the Canadian Armed Forces’ other ongoing deployments through Operation UNIFIER in support of Ukraine.

Commitment to implementing the Canada-Latvia Joint Declaration signed in June 2022 at the Madrid Summit, was reaffirmed by both  Anand and Mūrniece.

Canada, Latvia, and other eFP Battle Group contributing nations are continuing their planning to surge the battle group to a combat capable brigade.

Sharing a long history of military cooperation and partnership, Anand and Mūrniece discussed issues of mutual interest in the lead-up to this summer’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Anand and Mūrniece met with Canadian soldiers and participated in a tour of military vehicles and specialized equipment during their visit on May 9, 2023 to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)