PM announces support for NATO Security Initiatives in Ukraine and Eastern Europe September 4, 2014 Wales, United Kingdom Introduction Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Canada will be providing support for two initiatives that will help Ukraine as well as NATO allies counter the threat posed by Russia’s militarism in the region. Support will be provided through the NATO Trust Funds, with a focus on building up Ukrainian command and control and communications and computer capabilities to assist in improving personnel management systems and reform logistics and standardization within the Armed Forces. In addition, the three NATO Centres of Excellence in the Baltic region – Cyber Security, Energy Security and Strategic Communications – will each receive support to help Baltic States strengthen the regional framework for addressing the crisis situation. Quick Facts The NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence is located in Riga, Latvia; the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence is located in Vilnius, Lithuania; and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is located in Tallinn, Estonia. Since the onset of the crisis in Ukraine, Canada has participated in a military observer mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe that will report on military activities in Ukraine, has deployed six CF-18 fighter aircrafts and up to 20 staff officers to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe to assist NATO planning efforts, and committed the HMCS Toronto to NATO Standing Maritime Forces to further demonstrate support for Alliance solidarity. In addition, Canadian Army soldiers took part in Exercise ORZEL ALERT in Swidwin, Poland, from May 5 to 9, 2014, as part of NATO reassurance measures in Central and Eastern Europe. On August 7, 2014, Canada also provided important non-lethal security assistance to Ukraine, which will help the country secure its eastern border against Russian aggression. Quotes “Canada and its NATO Allies are united in condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and are taking the measures necessary to compel the Putin regime to change course. We are also taking steps to deter any further Russian aggressive military expansionism in the region.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper “The Canadian support being provided for NATO initiatives today will help Ukrainians better defend themselves against the Russian threat and strengthen the ability of NATO Centres of Excellence in the region to better address regional security challenges related to energy, communications and cyber defence.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper Related Product NATO Security Initiatives in Ukraine and Eastern Europe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Prime Ministers Office - Communications
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:20:37 +0000
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