Brian Szwarc
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Republic of LatviaEmbassy of Canada to the Republic of Latvia
The foundation of Canada’s excellent relationship with Latvia is our extensive, ongoing, and expanding defence and security collaboration. Canada’s long-term, and growing, military presence in Latvia has been accompanied by an augmentation of our diplomatic footprint across the Baltics. Our deepening engagement in the region will allow us to expand political and economic cooperation, and further strengthen transatlantic bonds during a period of increasingly complex global security.
Canada is resolute in our commitment to NATO and the collective deterrence and defence efforts along its Eastern Flank. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our Allies against Russian aggression and are working to reinforce global stability and security.
In 2014, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO countries came together to put in place measures to strengthen collective defence capabilities in Central and Eastern Europe. Canada contributed to these measures by forming Operation REASSURANCE - a military presence in Eastern Europe to deter Russian aggression and defend NATO territory.
Since 2017, under Operation REASSURANCE, Canada has served as the Framework Nation for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence(eFP) Battle Group in Latvia. As the Framework Nation for the eFP in Latvia, Canada is responsible for leading a multinational NATO Battle Group, and for coordinating with Latvia and the contributing nations to help set the tone, pace, and vision of the eFP.
Under Canada’s leadership, the enhanced NATO presence in Latvia contributes to a strong eastern flank, thereby ensuring the security of Latvia and the Baltic region, as well as to European and transatlantic security more broadly. Continuing our history as a founding member of NATO and active contributing member since its establishment, Canada’s leadership of eFP Latvia is a clear demonstration of our steadfast commitment to the Alliance and of our resolve in strengthening transatlantic security.
In July 2023, during a visit to the Ādaži Military Base in Latvia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada was committing C$2.6 billion in funding to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE. The focus of the expansion is the augmentation of the multinational combat-capable battle group in Latvia to a brigade level force. Canada will maintain its leadership role, and will force generate and lead the brigade. During his visit to Latvia, the Prime Minister oversaw the signing of a Joint Canada-Latvia Roadmap, which outlines an incremental approach to the multinational brigade’s development.
Canada is working closely with the Latvian Ministry of Defence and National Armed Forces, and other NATO Allies, on the ramp up to brigade. Canada will procure and pre-position critical weapons systems, enablers and supplies in Latvia. We will also substantially increase the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and capabilities in Latvia; up to 2200 Canadian Armed Forces members can be deployed as part of the Operation.
Canada will also continue to support Latvian intelligence, cyber and space activities. Canada and Latvia are engaged in extensive and ongoing partnered cyber security activities and defensive cyber operations. On March 1, 2022, Canada’s Minister of National Defence signed a Ministerial Order designating the electronic information infrastructure of Latvia and Ukraine as a system of importance (SOIs) to the Government of Canada. The SOI designations allow Canada’s Communications Security Establishment agency to provide cybersecurity assistance to help protect designated entities outside Canada. This was the first time a Minister has designated SOI entities outside of Canada.
The expansion of Canada’s military posture in Eastern Europe has been accompanied by an augmentation of our diplomatic presence. We have converted Canadian offices in Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia into full embassies with resident ambassadors. The Embassy of Canada to Latvia has been strengthened with additional personnel. These investments further enhance Canada’s engagement in the region and will allow us to pursue deeper political and economic cooperation. In 2022, Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed her counterparts from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to Canada. The meeting was the first in what is set to become an ongoing exchange in a “3+1” format.
Alongside our Baltic Allies, Canada will continue to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve peace on Ukrainian terms, and will be with Ukraine as it rebuilds.
Going forward, Canada is committed to expanding all aspects of our relations with the Baltic states based on our shared values, and our commitments to democracy and the international rules-based order. Canada is proud to support Latvia and NATO allies as we strengthen Operation REASSURANCE. We will continue to work closely with our partners towards a more peaceful and prosperous world.