The defence ministers of Canada and Australia say their countries face similar challenges in an era of global volatility not seen since the Second World War, and that stronger cooperation is essential to avoid conflict.
Defence Secretary Bill Blair and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles have announced an agreement aimed at strengthening their countries' relations and their collective ability to respond to everything from global challenges to malicious cyber threats.
Marles, who is also Australia's deputy prime minister, is in Vancouver for a bilateral meeting with Blair, and the ministers have pledged their armed forces to work together in the face of hostile actions by China in the South China Sea and Russia in Eastern Europe to undermine the global order.
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In a joint statement, the two countries reiterated their support for an independent Ukraine and reaffirmed the call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Blair said the closely allied nations were “preparing to avoid war,” showing unity in the face of adversaries such as China and Russia, whose actions run counter to “global interests in maintaining a peaceful environment.”
Marles says cooperation between Canada and Australia is aimed at deterring hostile actors and that avoiding conflict is a “priority” as both countries seek to understand and respond to threats in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
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