Joint Declaration of the Defence Ministers of Canada, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom

February 15, 2022 – Brussels, Belgium – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

We, the Ministers of Defence of the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Host Nations, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the respective Framework Nations, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany reaffirm our commitment to protecting our populations and those of our Allies. We will continue to significantly strengthen the Deterrence and Defence of the Baltic Region as part of NATO’s Collective Defence obligations.

Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine is defining the future security landscape of Europe and beyond.  Russia is and will remain the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security.

We – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, with full respect to the different approaches towards the tailored presence in the Baltic States, will coordinate efforts with each other and NATO in order to achieve the most effective and credible deterrence and defence posture in the region.

To support this goal, we seek to closer strengthen our cooperation through:

• Integration of the eFP into the further implementation of the Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area, including into new defence plans, modernized force structure, and command and control arrangements, in close coordination with NATO.
• Closely working on pre-positioning of equipment and ammunition in the Baltic States. We will exchange our approaches to find the most suitable way for the preparation of our forces, including stockpiling and pre-positioning of weapons, ammunition, material and equipment.
• Enhancing our collective defence including increased Allied presence in the Baltics, exercises to be prepared for high intensity and multi-domain operations and ensured reinforcement of an Ally on short notice.
• Actively seeking ways to exchange information regarding training, exercises, force deployments, and other similar high profiled initiatives.
• Coordination of our Strategic Communications in order to maximize the Deterrence and Defence effects of our commitments as well as disseminating and promoting coherent NATO messaging and priorities
• The Baltic countries will continue to invest in infrastructure and training opportunities to ensure all necessary Host Nation Support.

Our commitment to Article 5 is resolute and firm. We, as Defence Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, are committed to the implementation of the 2022 Madrid Summit decisions and will continue to work together to strengthen NATO’s Posture in the Region.