On March 8, the Macdonald Laurier Institute (MLI) had the honour of hosting a roundtable discussion with the Latvian Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds, addressing critical issues pertaining to NATO’s role in contemporary security challenges.
Moderated by Dr. Balkan Devlen, Director of the Trans-Atlantic Program at MLI, the event commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Brian Lee Crowley, Managing Director of the Institute. Dr. Crowley emphasized MLI’s commitment to principled policy advocacy in Ottawa and expressed strong support for a continued Canadian NATO presence in Latvia.
The Latvian Defence Minister Sprūds delivered opening remarks highlighting the evolving challenges facing NATO and the imperative of upholding its credibility as a security alliance. Emphasizing the significance of fostering social ties between Canada and Latvia, Mr. Sprūds underscored the enduring nature of their bilateral relationship.
A vibrant exchange ensued during the open discussion, moderated by Dr. Devlen, exploring strategies for addressing Russian revanchism and the necessity of bolstering public support for Ukraine amidst geopolitical shifts. Participants deliberated on streamlining NATO’s security infrastructure to effectively meet contemporary threats as well as the need to fortify Canada’s defence industrial base to ensure national resilience and bolster Canada’s capacity to confront emerging security challenges in Europe.
The event concluded with engaging questions from attendees, marking a fruitful dialogue on transatlantic security cooperation and the shared commitment to preserving peace and stability in the region.
