Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Comité permanent des affaires étrangères et du développement international

For immediate release

Stockholm, February 20, 2023 -

A delegation of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development is in Stockholm, and will be visiting Brussels, Warsaw and Helsinki, to hear directly from some of Canada’s closest partners. Through these meetings, the delegation is continuing the Committee’s study on Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and examining the war’s consequences for the security environment.

In Stockholm, the delegation is hearing from a range of interlocutors about the close friendship and the long-standing ties that exist between Canada and Sweden. These ties are only deepening as our two countries navigate common challenges and work together to reinforce the international rules-based order. It is clear to the delegation that there are many opportunities for further collaboration on matters of peace, security and democratic development, including in relation to Sweden’s important contributions in support of Ukraine.

Canada was the first member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to ratify the accession protocols necessary for Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance. The delegation reiterates that support unreservedly, and notes that Canada and other Allies are supporting the two countries throughout the accession process, including against threats to their security. The delegation firmly believes that Sweden and Finland will further strengthen the Alliance and looks forward to the completion of the ratification process.