Canada's Ministry of National Defense announced Friday that General Walt Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada, and General Knud Bartels, the Chief of Defence of Denmark, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Arctic Defence, Security, and Operational Cooperation, during Bartels's visit to Ottawa on May 13 -14.

Bartels is here to discuss with his Canadian counterpart a range of issues of common interest, including the Arctic, NATO, Afghanistan, and counter-piracy.

The MOU signed will enable Canada and Denmark to deepen cooperation in their respective Arctic regions, through enhanced consultation, information exchange, visits, and exercises.

"This arrangement will help promote solid defence and security collaboration between our two countries in the Arctic Region," said General Natynczyk. "Working together to enhance our ability to respond to emergencies through cooperative exercises in the Arctic is key to safety and to strengthening interoperability in the Arctic."

General Bartels said the MOU confirms the operational cooperation between Canada and Denmark in the Arctic region. "The signing of the MOU clearly shows that both Denmark and Canada see deepened collaboration and teamwork as the key to address our joint challenges in the Arctic region," said the Danish top general.

Canada and Denmark already cooperate closely in the Arctic. Last month, a Danish dog sledge patrol team from Greenland met up with Canadian Rangers in the High Arctic during Operation NUNALIVUT. Denmark will also participate in the military exercise portion of Operation NANOOK 2010, a major Canadian Forces operation in Canada's North.

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