Partnership of countries of NATO battalion to be more than military cooperation

RIGA – Partnership of the countries engaged in the multi-national NATO battalion in Latvia will be more than just military cooperation, said General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defense Staff of Canada, in a press conference today.

Vance said that Canada holds by the high NATO ideas, including collective defense and security. He underscored that this is a serious military operation, but it is important that Latvia, Canada, and other nations will work together.

"We are working together to send a signal that we are welcome here, in Latvia, and that we are here to improve defense and ensure security," the general said. He voiced confidence that the partnership among countries will become stronger.

Vance also said that the coming months will be spent to integrate forces, promote cooperation among groups and the administration. The battle groups will be able to learn from each other, establish friendships, learn new skills.

As reported, the enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Welcome Ceremony was held today at the Camp Adazi in Latvia with the participation of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan, and other top state officials.