Prime Minister Mark Carney met with President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs on the margins of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, to reaffirm Canada's commitment to transatlantic security. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral partnerships, focusing on defence, trade, and investment to bolster collective security against Russian aggression.

Prime Minister Carney announced the extension of Operation REASSURANCE until 2031, increasing the number of persistently deployed personnel to 2,600. This mission, which involves Canadian Armed Forces personnel hosted by Latvia, is Canada's largest overseas deployment and aims to deter aggression on NATO's Eastern Flank.

To further reinforce defence cooperation, Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation for NATO's Multinational Division North. This move is expected to deepen operational cooperation and enhance security along the alliance's eastern border.

The discussion also covered economic and industrial collaboration, including Canada's participation in the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. The leaders explored opportunities to strengthen Allied defence industrial production through the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, with Carney welcoming Latvia's support for broader participation.

Both leaders reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions. They also exchanged views on regional security challenges, including hybrid threats, and agreed to remain in close contact.

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark on the margins of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and defence cooperation. The leaders highlighted the doubling of bilateral trade over the past 10 years and agreed on the potential to expand partnerships between Canadian and Danish industries. The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in trade, defence, Arctic security, energy, and critical minerals.

To deepen transatlantic cooperation, Prime Minister Carney confirmed that Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation for NATO's Multinational Division North (MND-N). This high-readiness command is responsible for protecting the northern Baltic Sea region through planning, coordinating military operations, information sharing, and exercises. As a Framework Nation, the Canadian Armed Forces will assume a leadership role in defending NATO's Eastern Flank.

Prime Minister Carney underscored Canada's efforts to establish the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. This initiative aims to provide multi-year, low-cost financing for defence, security, and resilience projects, further supporting collective defence efforts.

The leaders reaffirmed their enduring support for Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing war of aggression. They agreed to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate for a just and lasting peace. Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Frederiksen committed to remaining in close contact to advance these shared priorities.

Key Agreements