Canada opens four new embassies
And sends more soldiers to Latvia.
Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia already had diplomatic representations; now they will become full-fledged embassies. In Armenia there was only a vacant position of honorary consul, a representative working for free and deprived of most of the diplomatic privileges.
The 2,000 Canadian soldiers currently serving in Latvia with NATO forces will soon be replenished. The Canadian government promises not to withdraw its military from Latvia for at least the next five years.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly explained her decision to open new embassies by the need to counter Russia in Europe and the Caucasus. At the summit of NATO leaders, Russia was recognized as the main threat to the security of the alliance member states.
