Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, participated in the Second Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers in Mexico City, Mexico.

The meeting was hosted by Mexico’s Secretary of National Defence, General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, and the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, and attended by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

During the meeting, the Defence Ministers discussed challenges to North American security, including North American southern border security, cyber defence, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Minister Nicholson also conducted separate bilateral meetings with Secretary Hagel, and with General Cienfuegos and Admiral Soberón.

Quick Facts

• The inaugural Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers was held on March 27, 2012, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
• On the margins of the Second Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers, Canada and Mexico will also be signing aDeclaration of Intent on Defence Cooperation,to further solidify defence relations between the two countries.
• In support of Canada's Strategy for Engagement in the Americas and in collaboration with Canadian security partners, DND/CAF are increasing their engagement in the western hemisphere.
• The Defence Team is working to strengthen relationships with key defence and security allies, enhance emerging ones, and build new partnerships that will contribute to domestic, continental, and international peace and security.

Quotes

“Canada, the United States, and Mexico share common goals and interests about the defence and security of North America. Canada enjoys positive and strong defence relations with the U.S. and Mexico, and together, we share a common determination to strengthen North American defence. The Trilateral Meeting of North American Defence Ministers has given us a valuable opportunity to further deepen our cooperation and collaboration towards our common goals of ensuring the security of our citizens, and our continent.”

The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of National Defence