 Hello, everyone. I'd like to start by thanking Prime Minister Kucinskis for welcoming me to Latvia. It's a pleasure to be here, and I'm looking forward to meeting with President Villoniz later today. Thank you also for welcoming my team, Minister Freeland, Minister Sajin, and General Jonathan Vance, Chief of Defense Staff. This day represents an important moment, whether it's the first bilateral visit of a Canadian Prime Minister in Latvia. We take this opportunity to increase our collaboration while the Latvian people celebrate this year the 100th anniversary of their country. Since then, our two countries are united by a special link. Canada has been the first country in the G7 to recognize the independence of Lithuania in 1991 and is one of the first to ratify the accession of Lithuania at the same time. Today, Prime Minister Kucinskis and I spoke about our cooperation on joint priorities, in particular our shared commitment to creating a more peaceful and more stable world. These are uncertain times, and I assured the Prime Minister that Canada will continue to step up, just as we always have. We remain unwavering in our support for security in the Baltic region. That's why Canada is leading the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. We've contributed 450 Canadian Armed Forces troops. I'm especially looking forward to spending time with them later today and seeing firsthand the important work that they're doing. I know all of our Canadians in uniform are proud to be serving in Latvia alongside our NATO allies. The Prime Minister and I discussed Canada's continued support for this mission. And I'm happy to announce today that Canada is extending our contribution as NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence Framework Nation here in Latvia. I want to be clear. We are absolutely committed to the protection of our allies and to global peace and security. Canadians always have and always will stand up for a better and more just world. That's why Canada will continue to be a late leader within NATO. Our mission's current mandate ends in 2019. And this announcement today extends our commitment for four more years on top of that. We're increasing the land task force and adding greater flexibility for Canada's contribution to NATO maritime forces. The mission will also have a CF-18 fighter presence, including bilateral training and air policing. As NATO members, we must stay responsive to changing threats around the world. This mission renewal will look at how to employ cyber capabilities in line with the new defence policy that Minister Sajjan released last year. Canada's new defence policy, created through the most open and comprehensive defence policy review ever, ensures that we will remain a dependable NATO ally. This policy will see annual funding for defence increased by more than 70 percent in 10 years. Most importantly, the investments we're making in our military are highly strategic and focused on equipping our forces with the tools and resources they need. We're buying 88 advanced fighter jets. We're fully funding the Royal Canadian Navy's full complement of Canadian surface combatant ships. We're also recapitalizing much of the Canadian Army's land combat capabilities. The role, which assumes Canada as the leader of the tactical group in Lithuania, demonstrates its commitment to the NATO alliance, as well as to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya. Canadians are proud to be at the forefront of the efforts made to defend the shared democratic values and the international order based on the rules. Prime Minister Kuczynski and I also talked today about our commitment to protecting democracy, rule of law, and freedom of speech. We can't ignore the reality that in many places these values are threatened. Our extended commitment to the NATO mission in Latvia sends the clear message that Canada will always do its part. Prime Minister Kuczynski and I also talked about trade. Canada and Lithuania are solid partners on the economic plan. Indeed, the global economic and commercial agreement and strategic partnership between the European Union and Canada confirms our common goals. Progressive trade creates new opportunities for people and companies in our two countries. It is a strategy that will ensure the creation of jobs and strengthen our economies for the good of the NATO and Canadians. I am proud that AirBaltic has chosen to buy 80 planes to bomb a Canadian company. It is an important investment and an example of the solid commercial relationship that we have maintained. And it's not just shared values and trade that bind Canadians and Latvians together, but people too. It's individuals who build and defend our countries just like the soldiers honored at the Freedom Memorial I visited earlier today. It's the hard work and dreams of our fellow citizens that help us thrive. The 28,000 strong Latvian-Canadian community enriches Canada's national fabric. They're celebrating with pride during Latvia's 100th birthday this year. And I'm confident that the next 100 years will continue the close relationship between our two countries. It's a relationship built on friendship, cooperation, and shared economic prosperity.