Pentagon welcomes Canadian Minister of National Defense

The U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Canadian Minister of National Defense Sarjit Sajjan met at the Pentagon last month to discuss international priorities, NATO’s Defense Ministerial, their countries' membership in the counter-ISIL coalition and support for United Nations peacekeeping, according to a statement by the Department of Defense.

“Secretary Mattis and Minister Sajjan reaffirmed the U.S.-Canada defense relationship, emphasizing their commitments to NORAD and continental defense, and agreeing to deepen cooperation to protect North America, noting that 2018 will be the 60th anniversary of NORAD," department spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said in a statement. "Secretary Mattis addressed enhancing North American defense relations and the North American Defense Ministerial, which he offered to host this spring in Washington, D.C."

It was Mattis’ first time hosting another country’s defense representative, according to Davis.

“The secretary commended the minister for his consistent leadership, noting the need for both the U.S. and Canada to continue to represent our shared values and advance security, prosperity, and freedom," Davis said. "The two leaders noted the long relationship between the U.S. military and Canadian armed forces and stated they looked forward to deepening the U.S.-Canada relationship and continuing to work closely together."