Canada plays a significant role in strengthening Latvia's defense capabilities - PM Karins

RIGA - Canada plays a significant role in strengthening Latvia's defense capabilities, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday. 

Karins' spokesman Sandis Sabajevs informed LETA that the meeting of the Latvian and Canadian prime ministers focused on the security situation in Europe, the need for allies to support Ukraine and to continue bolstering NATO's eastern flank in the long term, as well as bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Canada.

Karins and Trudeau discussed Europe's security situation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Both officials were unanimous on the necessity to continue the provision of all kinds of assistance to Ukraine and increase international pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko to make them end the war in Ukraine. 

The Latvian prime minister underlined the great importance of transatlantic cooperation, noting that the unity of the allies is vital for improving the security situation in Europe. It is also essential to coordinate sanctions on Putin to ensure his international isolation. 

In the conversation with the Canadian prime minister, Karins thanked Canada for its significant support to strengthening NATO's eastern flank, especially the presence of Canadian troops who lead NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. 

While discussing Latvian-Canadian cooperation and possibilities to expand it, Karins said that Latvia is interested in expanding economic cooperation in areas like telecommunications.