Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued his visit to Greater Victoria on Saturday, and met with Polish President Andrzej Duda before an upcoming NATO summit.
The two leaders visited a warship at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and talked about security issues.
Trudeau hugged Duda while taking photos with the media. They mostly exchanged pleasantries while the media were present.
“I’m very happy we were able to coordinate our schedules again,” Duda said.
Trudeau expressed his welcome to talk about Indo-Pacific matters and other partnerships and opportunities that Canada can pursue with Poland.
“It's important to continue to act wherever it's necessary,” he said after acknowledging Poland’s important role in matters related to Ukraine.
Duda arrived at CFB Esquimalt via a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter shortly before 11 a.m., followed by his entourage and about a dozen members of the Polish media who have been covering his North American trip.
According to a summary from Duda’s office, the two leaders discussed Polish-Canadian co-operation, security issues, and expectations related to the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, D.C., on July 9-11.
Royal Canadian Navy Commander Meghan Coates (centre) speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) and Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) in the operations room of HMCS Regina at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, in Esquimalt, Canada, on April 20, 2024. (
The two also talked about Duda’s recent visits to the United States, the statement said. Duda met with President Joe Biden and members of Congress last month, and with former president Donald Trump in New York last week.
During Saturday’s meeting, Duda also emphasized to Trudeau the necessity to increase defence spending in NATO countries from two to three per cent of the GDP, the statement said.
The prime minister’s office said the two leaders confirmed their “unwavering support” for Ukraine, as well as their shared commitment toward transatlantic security.
The two leaders discussed Canada’s potential contribution to Poland’s energy security through trade and co-operation in the nuclear and hydrogen sectors, the statement said.
They were also briefed by the Royal Canadian Navy on “opportunities and security challenges” in the Indo-Pacific, it said.
Later in the afternoon, Trudeau and Duda visited HMCS Regina, a frigate based at CFB Esquimalt.
Duda held a news conference for Polish media on the vessel shortly after the tour and thanked Trudeau for recently increasing Canada’s defence spending.
The increased spending is the correct trend in the face of growing Russian imperialism and aggression against Ukraine, Duda said in Polish.
Trudeau did not take questions from media at CFB Esquimalt.
Duda’s next stop is Edmonton — home to Canada’s largest Polish community outside of Toronto — where he will meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Trudeau’s visit to Victoria is his first outside Ottawa since the federal budget was presented on Tuesday.
On Friday morning, he met with students at the University of Victoria to promote the budget’s funding for science initiatives.
Later that day, he talked with Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto at city hall about housing, community safety, and infrastructure.
The prime minister is planned to return to Ottawa on Sunday.
Read more stories from the Times Colonist.
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