OTTAWA, Canada — Prime Minister Mark Carney will commence a significant diplomatic tour this Friday with a visit to Norway, where he will observe NATO’s major Arctic military exercise before proceeding to high-level meetings in the United Kingdom, according to an official announcement from his office on Monday.
The centerpiece of Carney’s Nordic agenda involves first-hand observation of the Norwegian-led NATO Cold Response exercise, a biennial multinational training operation featuring approximately 25,000 personnel from 14 allied nations. This comprehensive drill focuses on enhancing interoperability across land, air, and sea domains under challenging Arctic conditions, with participation from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Sweden, and Finland.
In an official statement, Prime Minister Carney emphasized Canada’s enduring Arctic sovereignty, stating: “Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation. In the face of new threats, we are deepening defense collaboration with our Arctic partners to create a stronger, more prosperous, and more secure world for Canada and for all.”
Beyond the military observation, Carney’s diplomatic schedule includes a bilateral meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo. Their agenda encompasses broader strategic cooperation, including trade relations, investment opportunities, clean energy initiatives, critical mineral resources, and aerospace sector collaboration.
The Prime Minister will subsequently participate in the Canada-Nordic Summit, convening with regional leaders to strengthen geopolitical coordination and address shared global challenges. Before returning to Canada, Carney will complete his European mission with a stop in London for discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where defense coordination and the ongoing Middle East conflict will feature prominently on their agenda.