OREANDA-NEWS. The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, each met today in Ottawa with Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, of the United States.

Minister Dion and Mr. McGurk exchanged views on actions undertaken by the Global Coalition Against Daesh (as Canada refers to the group) and discussed the situation in Syria and Iraq. Minister Dion reiterated Canada’s commitment to the Global Coalition Against Daesh and provided Mr. McGurk with an update on Canada’s overall approach to the crises in Iraq and Syria and efforts to address its impacts on Jordan, Lebanon and the wider region.

Building upon recent meetings with Mr. McGurk, Minister Sajjan welcomed the opportunity to continue their ongoing discussion to explore ways to further coalition efforts and ways to promote long-term stability in the region. During the meeting, they addressed a number of common defence and security issues, including planning and coordination with the United States and other coalition members. Mr. McGurk thanked Canada for the role of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in providing training and assistance to Iraqi security forces, as well as the CAF’s role in improving essential capacity-building capabilities with regional forces.

Quotes

“Canada is committed to playing an active role in the Global Coalition Against Daesh. There is a broad international consensus that the struggle to defeat it requires a comprehensive, long-term and multi-pronged approach. On one hand, the threat of violent extremism affects every corner of our planet; on the other hand, the threat of terrorism has unified us as we work together to find common ground and defeat this universal adversary. Together, we will defeat Daesh.”

- Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Our conversation provided an opportunity to discuss the complexities and needs of the region as the coalition explores ways to further promote stability. As part of a comprehensive approach, Canada continues to work with the coalition to ensure our military efforts are part of an evolution of the mission, one done in consultation with our key allies and partners.”

- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence