Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš visits Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today hosted the visit of the Prime Minister of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, who is in Canada May 10-12, 2022.
During Prime Minister Kariņš’s visit, the two leaders will meet to discuss additional military support for Ukraine as the country continues to oppose Russia’s unjustifiable aggression and fight for sovereignty , territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Spain, leaders will also discuss strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense measures along Europe’s eastern flank.
Premiers will discuss the strong Canada-Latvia partnership and security issues in the wider Baltic region, ahead of the upcoming Canada-Baltic 3+1 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which Canada will host in June. This will build on the Prime Minister’s successful visit to Latvia earlier this year. During his visit, he met with Canadian troops deployed there as part of Operation REASSURANCE and reinforced the close friendship between Canada and Latvia.
While in Canada, Prime Minister Kariņš will also meet with the Honorable Anthony Rota, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.
Estimate
“Canada and Latvia enjoy close ties based on shared values and a mutual commitment to transatlantic security as NATO allies. I look forward to my meeting with Prime Minister Kariņš, where I will reaffirm Canada’s commitment to our European allies to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Together, we will continue to work to defend democracy and human rights as Russia continues its unwarranted and unjustifiable attacks on Ukraine.
Fast facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau last visited Latvia in March 2022.
- Relations between Canada and Latvia are rooted in shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Our ties are strong, thanks in part to the 30,000 Latvian-Canadians.
- Canada was the first G7 country to recognize Latvia’s restoration of independence in 1991 and one of the first countries to ratify Latvia’s membership in NATO in 2004.
- Canada currently has 695 members of the Canadian Armed Forces leading NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE.
