Montreal, June 29, 2022 (AFP) – Canada announced on Wednesday that it will increase its diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in the Caucasus region, with the opening of four new embassies, to help “combat Russia’s destabilizing activities”.

“This diplomatic expansion will help guide Canada’s response to evolving security threats, strengthen political and economic cooperation in support of European allies,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“We are strengthening our diplomatic presence. Canada will open four new embassies in Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Armenia,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said at a press conference in Madrid on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

This announcement comes after the heads of government of the G7 members, including Canada, pledged this week in Germany to continue to provide “diplomatic” support to Ukraine, which since February 24 has been facing a war. after the invasion of Russian troops.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the increased diplomatic presence in these areas is also aimed at “further combating the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supporting Armenia in its democratic development”.

For her part, Mélanie Joly expressed in writing that “diplomacy remains the best way to support security and stability” and also stressed that the changes “will strengthen Canada’s engagement in the region, help combat destabilizing activities and increase support for Operation REAFFIRMATION”.

REAFFIRMATION is the international military operation in which 1,400 Canadian troops have deployed to Latvia, the largest foreign involvement undertaken by this North American nation to date.

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