The Ambassador of Canada to Spain participates in the military ceremony of CAOC Torrejón to commemorate Canada Day

• The Commander of the CAOCT has thanked the Canadian ambassador for the country’s contribution to the NATO’s permanent mission of air surveillance

The ambassador of Canada to Spain, Wendy Drukier, has visited the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOCT) to take part in the commemoration of Canada Day.

Upon arrival, the ambassador was received by the Commander of the CAOCT, the Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sánchez de Lara. The Lieutenant General invited the Canadian representative to participate in a brief meeting prior to the military ceremony, with the aim of addressing current issues. The meeting ended with the commemoration of Canada Day, comprising the traditional flag-raising ceremony. During the ceremony, the authorities present have expressed some words to the event participants.

In his speech, the Lieutenant General Sánchez de Lara has acknowledged not only Canada’s fundamental role as a NATO member country, but also the historical compromise with the Alliance by maintaining and even increasing cohesion among member states. An example of its commitment and transatlantic ties is Canada’s subsequent participation over the past seven years in enhanced Air Policing missions, which have been implemented during the invasion of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation and that are being undertaken from Romania, among other locations.

Moreover, the Canadian ambassador has highlighted Canada’s pride in its contribution to the NATO and to the collective security of the Allies, particularly in such a delicate context currently affecting Europe’s eastern flank.

The ambassador has expressed her country’s gratitude to CAOCT personnel and to its Commander for the work carried out by the Centre to favour airspace security on the Alliance’s southern flank.