US, Canada Agree to Closely Coordinate on Collective Defense

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Canadian Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan have pledged to further cooperate on advancing defense capabilities of the two countries, the Pentagon said in a press release on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — “The two leaders [Carter and Sajjan] agreed to continue to coordinate closely on our collective defense,” the press release said. “Secretary Carter looks forward to working with Minister Sajjan in the future.”

During a phone call, Carter also congratulated Sajjan on his appointment as defense minister and invited him to visit the Pentagon.

Earlier on Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told US President Barack Obama that Ottawa remains a committed partner in the anti-Islamic State coalition and will help fight the terrorist group both militarily and diplomatically.