Canada is opening four new embassies in Europe and the Caucasus in what the government bills as an effort to counter Russia, strengthen ties with NATO allies and support democracy.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced on Wednesday that Canada is expanding existing diplomatic offices in Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia into full embassies with ambassadors and a goal towards countering “Russia’s destabilizing activities” in the region.
As well, Canada will also be opening a new embassy in Armenia, a former Soviet republic located on Turkey’s eastern flank.
In a press release, Joly described the goal of putting a Canadian ambassador in Armenia as “allowing for stronger bilateral ties and increased Canadian support for Armenian democracy.”
“Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and horrific invasion of Ukraine has changed the security and diplomatic landscape in Europe, and Canada needs to respond strategically,” Joly said.
Trending Stories
‘ER’ actor Mary Mara, 61, dies in apparent drowning in St. Lawrence River
Tuesday’s $70 million Lotto Max jackpot claimed by single ticket sold in Ontario
“Building on Canada’s strong relationship with its European partners, the changes announced today will help ensure that we have the tools we need to reinforce Armenian democracy and address some of the greatest security and diplomatic challenges of our time.”
She described Canada as a “great diplomatic power.”
The announcement comes as NATO members formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the military alliance, and announced that they will now formally treat Russia as the “most significant and direct threat to the allies’ security.”
Canada to open four new embassies, increasing diplomatic presence in eastern Europe
More to come…
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
